Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy confident of conquering Ireland in World Cup battle

Matildas star Alanna Kennedy says her team is much better prepared to face Ireland compared to the most recent meeting between the teams.

Alanna Kennedy (right) and the Matildas ready for a physical Ireland on Thursday night. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy says Australia’s brand of “smart football” will nullify the physical threat of Ireland in Thursday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup clash in Sydney.

Ireland and Colombia were involved in a brutal Cup warm-up clash last Friday night, with the game being called off 23 minutes.

It was the Irish who called a premature end to the rough game when their star midfielder Denise O’Sullivan suffered a shin injury that resulted in her being sent to hospital,

Both sides didn’t hold up, and Ireland’s renowned physicality is likely to test the Matildas in the Group B opener at Stadium Australia.

However, Kennedy promised that the tournament co-hosts would not be intimidated.

“We’re not only a tough team, but we’re also technically and tactically sound, so it’s a combination of all those things and just playing smart football, whether it’s physical or whether it’s tactical,” the 28-year-old centre-back said.

“We’ll be ready for whatever they throw at us.”

The teams’ most recent meeting was in September 2021 in Dublin, where Ireland prevailed 3-2 in a game that included an O’Sullivan goal.

However, Kennedy said the Matildas had become “much more consistent” since that defeat.

Alanna Kennedy is preparing for the Matildas’ battle with Ireland. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“We’re all at our peak at the moment,” she said.

“At the time, (we were) coming off a major tournament, bringing in new players and playing a different style of play as well ¬- it was just a completely different moment in time.

“We’re a much more consistent team as a collective at the moment, which is what we want to be heading into the biggest tournament.”

Kennedy made a successful international return from injury in the Matildas’ 1-0 win over France last Friday night, giving coach Tony Gustavsson a tough selection decision to make ahead of Thursday night’s battle.

The partnership between Kennedy and emerging star Clare Hunt was rock solid, but the Matildas’ most-capped player, Clare Polkinghorne, can’t be forgotten despite a recent foot injury restricting her game time against the French to 10 second-half minutes.

“I’m always not really comparing myself to the players around me. I’m just wanting to put my best foot forward,” Manchester City’s Kennedy said.

“I know what I bring as a player … and if that means I’m on the field, I’m happy with that.

“The most important thing is we have so much depth (in the centre of defence).

“Between all of us, the support between whoever plays and whoever is coming off the bench and changing the game is unreal.

“That’s just what always makes the Matildas so special, love.”

Tameka Yallop, who injured her knee in the win over France, didn’t train on Monday.