"We're little old Ireland and people underestimate us," says forward Lucy Quinn ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup debut against Australia

‘The Girls in Green’ are excited about their first ever football match at a FIFA women’s World Cup.

Co-hosts Australia await in their debut on Thursday. A big test for the Irish underdogs who hope to spark a surprise.

"We're little old Ireland and people underestimate us. We've got a very tough group, but they are the teams that you want to go and play,” their forward Lucy Quinn told BBC Sport.

“That's why we wanted to qualify. Progress comes from pushing yourself against the best. We have to be realistic. It's a new tournament, we are going to have to learn hard and fast."

While the 29-year-old Birmingham City player is aware that it will be tough to progress from the group stage which includes estamblished names Australia and Canada, she hopes that the European team’s presence at the World Cup can push the development of women’s football in the Republic of Ireland.

"We are all here because we want the women's game in Ireland to keep progressing and get bigger and bigger. This is the first step, no matter what we go out and do. We are going to carry that on our shoulders, we are going to learn a lot of lessons and I think we can go out and do some big things," Quinn said.

After the opening game against the Matildas, Vera Pauw’s squad face Canada on Wednesday 26 July and Nigeria on Monday 31 July.