Debutante Republic of Ireland is to face eight times party attendants and co-host Australia in the opening match of Group B at the 83,500 capacity grass pitch Accor Stadium at the Sydney Olympics Park which cost Australia 690 Million Australian Dollars to build on Thursday 21st July at 1100 hours Nigerian time.
Both teams met once on 21st September 2021 and Ireland ran away with a 3-2 victory.
In all of Australia’s 8 appearances in 1995; 1999; 2003; 2007; 2011; 2015 and 2019 the country made the quarters only once at the 6th Edition in Germany which Japan won by beating USA.
Australia in that 2011 Germany Edition, surprised Book makers by coming 2nd with 6 points after Brazil that chalked 9 points to top Group D while top rated Norway could only make 3 points for beating Equatorial Guinea that had no point in the group.
Australia fell to Sweden 1-3 on 10th July at Augsburg in the quarters.
Ireland that had always been blocked from qualification by vibrant European nations says they have worked hard for a breakthrough as they aim for at least a quarterfinal ticket.
Bookmakers already tip Nigeria and Canada to emerge from this group but football is not mathematics that you can permutate as 90 minutes of guts on the field of play earn the victory.
Nigeria will play Canada if what is termed final before the final on Friday 21st at 1530 hours. In their opening match before taking on Australia on 27th July at 1100 hours Nigerian time and play last group game against Ireland on 31st July also at 1100 hours
By Eniola Olatunji
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