Gustavsson was asked why it has been so long,and pondered what he said was a “big question”.

“Maybe it’s a little bit of the mental side of things,playing on home soil,how people handle that,whether you use it as pressure or if they use it as belief and support,” he said. “That’s something we’ve talked a lot about. We feel support. Playing with 50,000 against France,we felt the support,we felt the belief,much more so than feeling pressure.”

Kerr and her squad are undoubtedly on a mission to win the whole thing on home soil,an accomplishment that would go down in history in similar fashion to Cathy Freeman’s iconic Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medals.

The striker,who idolises Freeman and spoke fondly of the former sprinter’s surprise visit to the team last week,understood the significance of this moment. But she also pointed out that this team would not be remembered only for a win or loss at one tournament.

“I think the legacy has already been made by bringing this World Cup here,” she said. “You’ve already seen what hosting this tournament has done for the country.

“Everyone’s here to win,but the legacy will not be defined - the grassroots and all of that - by how this tournament goes. We’re Australia,we’ll do everything we can,but I think having a legacy defined by these four weeks is a bit harsh.”

Gustavsson would not confirm whether Tameka Yallop and Kyah Simon would remain in the squad,with the deadline to make any changes now having passed. If in,both at least appear unlikely to play any part in the opening match.

Yallop,who is dealing with a thigh issue sustained against France,and Simon,who is slowly returning from an ACL tear,completed separate drills at Australia’s final training session in Brisbane on Wednesday before flying to Sydney.

Charli Grant,however,was back with the main group after recovering from a stomach bug that has kept her out of action for most of the week.

Ireland coach Vera Pauw has passed star midfielder Denise O’Sullivan fit less than a week after being sent to hospital during the fiery and prematurely abandoned friendly with Colombia.

O’Sullivan,who injured her shin under a heavy challenge,had been at risk of missing her country’s first World Cup but Pauw confirmed the 100-cap veteran is in.

“Denise is fit,she will play,” Pauw said on Wednesday. “She trained yesterday for half of the training,today she will do full training.”

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