Ireland handed tough draw for 2015 Women's World Cup qualifiers

 

The Republic of Ireland have been handed a tough draw for the European Qualifying Phase of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

 

Sue Ronan’s side will face off against Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia in an attempt to qualify for the tournament which takes place in Canada in the summer of 2015.

 

Ireland are currently ranked 19th in Europe and 32nd in the world and Ronan is aware of the momentous task which awaits her side.

 

“That’s probably the toughest draw we could have got,” she said, speaking the draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.

 

“There was definitely a sigh of relief around the room when Germany were pulled out in Group 1 and Russia will also be very strong. Both teams have qualified for this summer’s European Championships and Germany are ranked No.1 in Europe and No.2 in the world. It doesn’t get any tougher than that.”



 

Ireland have previous against both Germany and Russia, with the three sides drawn together in the qualifying phase of the 2007 World Cup. That Irish side failed to register a single point against the two opponents, but four years later Ireland were again drawn against Russia, this time securing a 1-1 draw in Wexford.

 

The group games begin on September 21st 2013, with ten games being played by its conclusion on September 17th almost a year later. Group winners qualify automatically for the championships, with four of the best seven runners up also joining them.

 

The draw in full is as follows:



 

Group 1: Germany*, Russia*, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia

 

Group 2: Italy*, Spain*, Czech Republic, Romania, Estonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

 

Group 3: Denmark*, Iceland*, Switzerland, Serbia, Israel, Malta**

 

Group 4: Sweden*, Scotland, Poland, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands**

 

Group 5: Norway*, Netherlands*, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Albania**

 

Group 6: England*, Ukraine, Belarus, Wales, Turkey, Montenegro**

 

Group 7: France*, Finland*, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan

 

 

 

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