It’s not just the field that’s been narrowed ahead of tonight’s game in Tallaght between the Republic of Ireland and France in the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers as fans, players and management alike focus on getting the Girls in Green a return trip to the pinnacle of international football after their maiden World Cup appearance nearly 3 years ago.
Republic of Ireland Women’s International manager Carla Ward has said that she expects to see an experienced France side take the field against Ireland tonight in Tallaght for Irelands opening World Cup Qualifier as the Girls in Green try to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil In 2027. Ward describing our opponents tonight as “deadly in transition, aggressive, front-footed, World class talent in every position”. Its not all doom and gloom however. Ward highlighted her own squad as “hungry” and has “never seen a group that want to represent that badge more.” Traits that will stand them in good stead for tonight’s match.
Ward also addressed the addition of Jasmine Mander to her coaching staff. She described the former Canadian assistant coach as a “top quality coach, exceptional in terms of experience, been there and won it all”.
It is the start of a tough qualifying group with fixtures also to come against The Netherlands and Poland home and away as well as a trip to France to come between now and June. The difficulty in the task ahead highlighted by Carla Ward in a pre-match conference yesterday. She described France as “one of the best in the world. If it was a France Netherlands World Cup Final I don’t think anybody would be complaining” perhaps highlighting the difficulty of the upcoming challenges ahead.
Irish Captain Katie McCabe at the Press Conference yesterday highlighted the “shift in mentality” that grew as last year wore on for the girls in green at the end of a “transitional” year for the squad. She also highlighted the Belgium game last year at the Aviva Stadium as a game that showed “a balance between defensively disciplined and when we do win the ball back calm and composure on the ball and willing to play through the lines.” She also highlighted their ability to “mix it up and be a little direct at times as well.” Katie also dismissed taking too much out of the previous win against France in Cork into the game tomorrow highlighting “its a long time ago now.” She also highlighted how the side needs to be clinical in front of goal to improve on their last experience in league A.
It will nearly be a full-strength Irish squad as named with the sole change being Tara O’ Hanlon who comes into the squad as a precaution due to an ankle/calf injury picked up by Hayley Nolan during the week in training. For France there are a couple of key players missing but the strength in depth is frightening and
It’s a tough start for the Girls in Green tonight but the optimist in me thinks it’s one they will get something from.
Prediction Republic of Ireland 1 France 1
