Pauw's team poised for crucial Finland test in Tallaght

By next Friday, the Republic of Ireland team could have secured their place in the play-off for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Defeat Finland in a sold out Tallaght Stadium on Thursday evening is all that is required. Do that and they can travel to Slovakia the following week without the worry of needing a result.

Vera Pauw said at her squad announcement on Friday morning that her team have earned the position they are in, not just during her tenure as manager of the national team, but the incremental steps the game in Ireland has made over the last two decades.

Final

“We feel it is a final,” said Pauw about the upcoming game against their other rivals for a play-off place. “I'm not downplaying it but I don't see us as favourites. I see that this is a big big game and very difficult to get a result as the situation is completely different than the first game (when they won 2-1 in Finland).

“We have earned this position. This is what we have earned over the last few years, not just my time, but over 20 years. This team has grown step by step. Now we are in the position that everyone expects from us. That is what we want. We know our limits.

"That is why we played so many big opponents last year. We know we are growing. We will not put on pants of too big a size, because those pants end up at your ankles!”

The 8,000 capacity Dublin 24 venue will be packed out next week with supporters cheering on the girls in green. Pauw said that her team won’t have any issues playing in front of a full Tallaght Stadium. 

“This squad is so special. We've played in front of a big crowd in Sweden (12,123) and in Finland. Everyone was saying will this bring up the pressure? We have played in front of an almost full house at home. These players are independent of that. 

"I've never seen a team respond so well to different circumstances. They are so focussed and know what they are doing on the pitch. It will only be a boost.

“I think it was within 30 minutes that the stadium was sold out. And that's the first (time) ever. The biggest crowd we had was just over 5,000. So now in 30 minutes, to have the whole stadium packed is amazing and fantastic.”

Hurt

The excitement around the team, coupled with the focus on women’s football with the recent European championship, is why Pauw believes the stadium sold out so quickly. The fact Ireland didn’t make the big event in England during the summer still rankles with the Irish manager.  

“We should have been there, that’s what I thought. We deserved to be there but we have given it away ourselves against Ukraine. It still hurts.”

Finland lost all three of their games in the Euros, albeit playing in a difficult group and have brought in a new manager (Marko Saloranta). Pauw is wary of Finland who she felt were the better team when the sides last met.

“Finland was the better team away. And we stole the points over there. The thing is that, this is their last chance. They will not underestimate us. They just played the Euros. That can be a pro or a negative. But they have three major games in their legs at this moment, with a rest period in between. 

“The (new) manager says that he made a lot of changes, but actually of their Euro team, there's only two players off the bench not there. All the other players are there. And he brought in two extra players. So that makes four changes, and those are four youngsters.”

28-player-squad

Pauw has recalled Hayley Nolan for the first time since she made here debut away to Belgium in April 2021. 

“Hayley is a player that has been injured. She was in the squad before. She was doing really well, she was growing. She is playing left centre-back at her club, and she is strong, her start of the build-up has improved dramatically. And she just made the squad because of the qualities.”

The Irish boss also took the time to praise the star player’s in the squad including Denise O’Sullivan who is “crucial” to Pauw’s plans.

“We have a few big stars, everybody knows that and we don’t have to hide from that. Those are the players that make a difference, but they are not more important than the other players, it’s because of the other players they can make that difference. We’re so happy to have Denise in the team.”

Goalkeeper Eve Badana, defenders Harriet Scott and Megan Campbell, midfielder Ellen Molloy and forward Leanne Kiernan return after missing the 9-0 victory away to Georgia in June. However injuries mean that Savannah McCarthy, Aoife Colvill, Rianna Jarrett and Kyra Carusa miss out.

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Jess Ziu (West Ham United), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Amber Barrett (FFC Turbine Potsdam), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shelbourne), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC)

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 
Republic of Ireland v Finland (Thursday, September 1st - Tallaght Stadium - KO 19:00)
Slovakia v Republic of Ireland (Tuesday, September 6th - NTC Senec - KO 17:00 Irish Time)

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