Rep of Ireland -v- Switzerland (Women)
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Ireland will hope to emulate the success of Peamount United at club level and continue their recent good form when they face Switzerland tomorrow night in Richmond Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
Although the fixture is a friendly in name, Ireland will look at it as an opportunity to beat a side regarded as one of the fastest-improving in Europe and one which beat them twice in the qualification campaign for this summer's World Cup. Indeed, Ireland's last defeat in March 2010 was at home against the Swiss in Richmond Park. Previously in October 2009, Ireland went down 2-0 through goals from Martina Moser and Laura Dickenmann.
Dickenmann picked up an injury after Switzerland's friendly against Scotland last week and will play no part tomorrow night, but Moser is named in the squad.
Sandy Maenly, one of the players who scored for the Swiss in the return leg, could also make an appearance. Ireland have a full squad to choose from- including several players on teams competing in this season's Champions League.
Six members of the squad play for the high-flying Peamount, with a further six based with domestic clubs. There is also a strong contingent plying their trade abroad- with no fewer than four players from English champions Arsenal in the squad .
Ireland will use the friendly as a testing ground before the start of their Euro 2013 qualifying campaign on September 17 against Wales. A home qualifier against Israel will close the season for the national side. The other teams in Ireland's group are France and Scotland.
Switzerland face a tough qualifying group including Germany, Spain, Romania and Kazakhstan. Before the 2011 qualifying campaign, Ireland had played Switzerland twice in the qualifying campaign for the 2007 World Cup. Ireland triumphed 2-0 in Richmond Park but lost the return leg by the same scoreline. Ireland finished ahead of Switzerland in the group on goal difference.
Although the fixture is a friendly in name, Ireland will look at it as an opportunity to beat a side regarded as one of the fastest-improving in Europe and one which beat them twice in the qualification campaign for this summer's World Cup. Indeed, Ireland's last defeat in March 2010 was at home against the Swiss in Richmond Park. Previously in October 2009, Ireland went down 2-0 through goals from Martina Moser and Laura Dickenmann.
Dickenmann picked up an injury after Switzerland's friendly against Scotland last week and will play no part tomorrow night, but Moser is named in the squad.
Sandy Maenly, one of the players who scored for the Swiss in the return leg, could also make an appearance. Ireland have a full squad to choose from- including several players on teams competing in this season's Champions League.
Six members of the squad play for the high-flying Peamount, with a further six based with domestic clubs. There is also a strong contingent plying their trade abroad- with no fewer than four players from English champions Arsenal in the squad .
Ireland will use the friendly as a testing ground before the start of their Euro 2013 qualifying campaign on September 17 against Wales. A home qualifier against Israel will close the season for the national side. The other teams in Ireland's group are France and Scotland.
Switzerland face a tough qualifying group including Germany, Spain, Romania and Kazakhstan. Before the 2011 qualifying campaign, Ireland had played Switzerland twice in the qualifying campaign for the 2007 World Cup. Ireland triumphed 2-0 in Richmond Park but lost the return leg by the same scoreline. Ireland finished ahead of Switzerland in the group on goal difference.
About Niall Farrell
Niall Farrell is our correspondent at Tolka Park, covering the goings-on at Shelbourne. You can visit Niall's website for further information and contact details- niallf.net. View Full Profile