For play-off push Pauw calls for packed Tallaght Stadium in September

Sweden's Sofia Jackobsson and Katie McCabe battle it out in front of 4,017 spectators in Tallaght last October

Sweden's Sofia Jackobsson and Katie McCabe battle it out in front of 4,017 spectators in Tallaght last October Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw has called on supporters to pack-out Tallaght Stadium for the next 2023 Women’s World Cup qualifier in September against Finland.

After her team thumped Georgia 9-0 in Gori in a record equalling away victory, next up for the girls in green is a clash at home against Finland.

Win that match and they will be in a play-off for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next Summer.

“I hope Tallaght Stadium will be full-full-full packed with a lot of noise and everyone that wants to support us because we really need that,” said Pauw speaking to FAITV after Monday’s win in Georgia.

“We have two games to go (Finland at home and Slovakia away) and we have it in our own hands. We have the feeling that we are on the point of doing it with the support in our home stadium.”

Monday’s match meant Ireland have scored 20 goals in total against Georgia in this campaign. 4-0 up at the break, Pauw had some words at the break with her team to ensure they kept pressure up on the home team – goal difference may help Ireland in the play-offs to get one of the best runners up spots.

The three best runners-up from the nine UEFA groups will be seeded directly to round 2 of the play-offs while the six remaining runners-up contest three single-leg play-offs in round 1. The three winners from round 1 and the three teams seeded directly to round 2 will then compete in single-leg play-offs.  

The two play-off winners with the highest ranking (based on results in the qualifying group stage and round 2 play-offs) will qualify for the finals. With the remaining play-off winner competing in an inter-confederation play-off in February 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.

“We scored some beautiful goals. We could have scored more. At half time we were really on to it as there were a few shoboating in the first half and thinking that would give goals. 

"We are a team that need to put pace in. We are a team that need to play our task and do it together. This was a great disciplined team performance.”



About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile