Hayley Nolan earns Ireland recall as squad named for World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Slovakia
This is where Vera Pauw has always aimed her Ireland team. The World Cup qualifier against Finland next Thursday in Tallaght is sold out, not a ticket to be got. The success of the Euros means women’s football has grabbed everyone’s attention, albeit that Ireland had to watch from afar. People are watching now. Good.
“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. So we need to see where we stand. The thing is we need to be ready as always and then we need to see if it’s enough – and if the luck is a bit on our side.
“This squad is special,” Pauw said. “This squad is so special. We have played in front of a big crowd in Sweden, a big crowd in Finland. Everybody was saying, ‘Will this bring up the pressure for them?’ We’ve played almost a full house at home. These players are independent of that. “This team has grown step by step by step by step. And now we are in the position that everybody expects something from us. We know what we want. We have found our limits. That is why we played those games against the big opponents last year. We know our limits and we know that we are growing.
Pauw’s insistence on realism is very Dutch, of course. But she will always make room for the heart as well. Denise O’Sullivan’s new contract with North Carolina Courage is probably not strictly ideal from an Irish point of view – plenty of teams in England would kill to have her and it would cut down on the miles Pauw asks her best player to travel for the cause. But life is important too. A happy player is a performing player.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nolan earns Ireland recall as Pauw names World Cup qualifiers squadIreland to take on Finland and Slovakia in upcoming window
Read more »
'One of the best midfielders in the world' - O'Sullivan 'crucial' for IrelandVera Pauw hails Denise O’Sullivan after Cork midfield maestro pledges future to North Carolina Courage.
Read more »
Vera Pauw names squad as Ireland look to seal World Cup play-off placePauw names 28 players for decisive double-header against Finland and Slovakia.
Read more »
How to keep the summer vibe alive in your homeHot sun may soon set on summer, but there’s no need to put the lid on your outdoor living
Read more »