Both Canada manager Bev Priestman and stand-in captain Jessie Fleming felt facing Ireland and their supporters was good preparation for playing hosts Australia in their final World Cup group stage game.
In front of 17,065 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, Canada came back from conceding a goal after just four minutes to beat Ireland 2-1 and end Vera Pauw's side's chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
"It almost felt like we were in Ireland tonight," Fleming told Canadian TV channel TSN.
"I thought their fans were so loud and energetic. Like Bev said, it kind of felt like we were playing the host nation. It will be good practice for us.
"I'm sure the Australian fans will be even louder and we'll have to get used to them pushing on their team. I think we're excited to quiet that crowd in a few days.
26 July 2023; Republic of Ireland supporters during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Group B match between Canada and Republic of Ireland at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Fleming continued: "To be honest, I don't think it was our best performance by any stretch of the imagination. I think we're just happy to pick up the three points and happy with the response in the second half.
"It's tournament football. Every team is difficult to play against and Ireland gave us a good challenge today. There's definitely lots we need to learn from this game.
"I think we went back to basics, made sure we were winning the physical battle and not letting them push us around, winning second phase and pushing more numbers forward.
"I thought the subs that came in were a big help for the team and gave us a different look."
Priestman said she was "proud" of her team.
"I think the first 20 minutes, the occasion got to them," she said.
"It was like playing Australia at home, which is great for the next match.
"Second half, that's what I love about this team. They did whatever it took to win. We know how to win, and we did it when it really mattered.
"The likes of Sophie Schmidt, Christine Sinclair, they brought that experience when it really mattered."
26 July 2023; Jessie Fleming of Canada in action against Ruesha Littlejohn, left, and Sinead Farrelly of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Group B match between Republic of Ireland and Canada at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia. Photo by Mick O'Shea/Sportsfile
Priestman, who hails from Consett, a small town outside the English city of Newcastle, said her message at half-time was "Don't take a step back, take a step forward. I want to see this team be brave".
"I felt we were a little bit cagey in the first half and almost the occasion just got to us," she added.
"This team has too much quality to do that, and I told them that. It was just about mindset more than anything. I always said that when this team's mindset is right, they can do almost anything."
See Also: Ireland Player Ratings As Canada Heartbreak Seals Team's World Cup Fate
