Pauw full of praise after Ireland survive Swedish storm to earn point to keep play-off shot in sight

Macdara Ferris reports from Gothenburg

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw was full of praise for her team as they weathered a Swedish attacking storm to claim a famous result in Gothenburg.

It was a 1-1 draw for the ages – a result that put Sweden over the line in terms of qualification for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the point gives the girls in green a great shot at securing the second spot in the group to give them a play-off route to next year's tournament.

“This is so amazing, against the second (best team) in the world,” said Pauw speaking directly after the 1-1 in the Gamla Ullevi Stadium on Tuesday. 

“We could have even won. We had a lot of luck to stay in the game but the way they executed the gameplan was just absolutely phenomenal.”

Having taken a late first half lead through skipper Katie McCabe, it was backs-to-the walls stuff for Ireland in the second half as they attempted to claim the clean sheet and a famous win.

Sweden had 17 shots during the game but only four on target. 

“The pressure was constant, it was a constant storm, but the way we shifted from one side to the other. The only thing at the end of the game was we couldn’t press forward anymore which made it really difficult for us to keep the ball out.”

Katie McCabe: ‘Sometimes you create you own luck and we did that tonight’ https://t.co/dqYyeOz10Apic.twitter.com/AhxsckcUo5

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 13, 2022

They could only hold out so long it seems and a sweeping Swedish move on 79 minutes involving substitutes Filippa Angeldel and Olivia Schough was finished by Kosovare Asllani.

“With more luck, we could have won the game,” said the Dutch coach. “But I’m so happy because that point could bring us to the play-offs in the end.”

The Ireland boss made a couple of big calls with her starting line up. She gave Chloe Mustaki her first competitive start and kept faith with Courtney Brosnan in goal despite her lack of game time at club level with Everton.

“It was a brave decision to put Courtney in because she hasn't got a lot of playing time. Megan Walsh had covid last week and while she had recovered, she wasn't back to her old self. 

“We went for the ‘keeper who was the sharpest. She responded to that decision tremendously. She made crazy saves and in between she constantly worked with her defenders.”

Next up is Ireland’s away game Georgia which is scheduled for late June which is difficult timing wise and something Pauw needs to plan for.

“Our biggest challenge and our biggest task is now to get the players fit for 27 June. There's players already finishing their season on 8 May and there's players who finish their season on 15 May. The game is on 27 June.”

They will then conclude their campaign in early September with a home game against Finland and then travel to Slovakia.

Sweden have just the one game left and Ireland will be hoping that the back-to-back Olympic silver medallists will do the girls in green a favour away to Finland in September after this summer's European Championship. 

"I hope that Sweden will go there with the duty to go for the win. I think they will be proud enough to not drop any more points."

extratime.com asked the Swedish coach Peter Gerhardsson how his team will approach that game against their near neighbours. 

“Of course, for us it is like Ireland versus England, we want to win it.

“It’s up to them now,” he said about Ireland’s qualification hopes. “Look at Serbia beating Germany today, many countries are taking steps, getting better coaches and tactical and physical preparation.

“Ireland have four extremely good players and with them and the others they are doing a good job, tonight is the result. Whether they have the depth is another issue. It took us time to get to that level.”

World Cup Report: Sweden 1 - 1 Republic of Ireland https://t.co/oIb6Vu6iOipic.twitter.com/ajSfo9Vdvn

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 12, 2022