World Cup Warm-up Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Zambia

Ireland celebrating a goal against Finland last September in Tallaght

Ireland celebrating a goal against Finland last September in Tallaght Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

The build up to the Women’s World Cup steps up a gear in Tallaght on Thursday when the Girls in Green play their penultimate friendly in Ireland before the tournament begins next month.

In front of a sold out stadium and the live RTÉ2 cameras, the Republic of Ireland will take on Zambia (kick off 7.30pm) who like them are heading to World Cup (although the African side are playing their group games in New Zealand).

“We started our training camp on June 12 with a very detailed programme for our players to ensure their safety on returning to play from club action and holidays,” said Ireland boss Vera Pauw on the eve of the game.

“Now, we must use this game to rise up to the challenge of one of Africa’s best teams.

“The reason we chose to play against Zambia is because we have Nigeria in our World Cup Group so we must be ready for that type of opponent.

"This game also adds to our preparation plan for the tournament and gives us an opportunity for players to get back onto the pitch again.

“This will be our first home game in nine months, so we are looking forward to playing in front of our amazing fans again.”

The FAI confirmed that Isibeal Atkinson comes into the match day squad but Megan Campbell will not be involved as she continues with her return to play periodisation plan. USA based

Three of the US-based Ireland players - Denise O'Sullivan, Sinead Farrelly and Marissa Sheva - will link up with the squad after this friendly.



A final squad for the World Cup, consisting of 23 players (plus three training players), will be confirmed by June 29 ahead of the send-off game in Tallaght Stadium against France on 6 July before the squad departs for the next day. 

The Republic of Ireland will play on the opening day of the tournament against co-hosts Australia in Sydney. Next they face Olympic champions Canada in Perth on 26 July before their final group game back in Brisbane five days later against Nigeria.

IRELAND WNT MATCH DAY SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)

Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Tara O'Hanlon (Peamount United)

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Isibeal Atkinson (West Ham United), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United)



Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC)

ZAMBIA

As part of their preparations for what is also their first world cup, Zambia travel to Tallaght to take on Ireland in what is the first meeting of the two nations at senior women’s international level.

While Zambia are making their FIFA Women’s World Cup debut this summer they are side with good pedigree having finished third at the African Cup of Nations, last year losing out to eventual winners South Africa.

Reaching the semi-final of that competition earned them a place at the World Cup.

In next month’s tournament they will face Spain, Costa Rica and Japan.

“I will say is we don’t just want to add numbers to the tournament,” said manager Bruce Mwappe speaking recently to FIFA.com. “I think we are able to challenge any team.

"It won't be easy, but it’s others thinking we'll go there as underdogs. As far as I'm concerned, we are going to compete.

Their captain Barbra Branda is one to watch – she plays her club football with Shanghai Shengli in the Chinese Super League.

She has a remarkable 22 goals in ten appearances. Madrid strikers Grace Chanda and Racheal Kundananji provide additional fire power up front that Ireland will need to be careful of.

Their final warm up game is away to Germany on 7 July.

Referee: Caroline Lanssens (Belgium)

MATCH STATS
This is only the third time that the Republic of Ireland women’s team will play a senior international against African opposition. Prior to Thursday’s game they played South Africa in the Cyprus Cup (a 1-0 win in 2013) and the friendly against Morocco that Ireland won 4-0 last November in Marbella.

This game will be Vera Pauw’s 30th in charge of Ireland, since her appointment in September 2019.

Zambia have a world ranking of 77 while Ireland sit 22nd in the rankings.

PREDICTION
2-1 home win

 

Republic of Ireland

Unavailable: Megan Campbell

Suspended: None

Zambia

Injured: n/a

Suspended: None

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