Sweden was a free hit, this is the big thing
After getting Thursday’s “free match” against Sweden out of the way, Niamh Fahey admits that Ireland must take at least one point from tomorrow’s visit to Finland.
The World Cup qualifiers will be beyond veterans like the 34-year-old Liverpool defender if they do not succeed in this campaign for the 2023 final, which shows the importance of the deal at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
Top-seeded Sweden took their third victory in a row by defeating Ireland 1-0 at Tallaght on Thursday and the Finns will join them by nine points if they take over Vera Pauw’s team.
Ireland had a delayed start as last month’s premiere in Georgia was postponed due to red travel restrictions but they need to start scoring on their column in the table.
Only the table top is guaranteed promotion to the finals in Australia and New Zealand, where the runner-up must negotiate an intricate play-off system.
Both matches against second-seeded Finland will be crucial for the hunt for the quay behind the sublime Swedes.
“Sweden was a bit of a free hit in a way because they are top seeds and heavy favorites,” admitted Galwegian Fahey, who would win his 97th international tomorrow.
“The big thing is Finland. It was never really about Sweden. We have to go to Finland and get a result there.
“They are second seeders in the group and if we intend to qualify we must get a result.”
That result means avoiding defeat.
That Ireland kept the Swedes to a narrow victory – the same one-goal margin as Slovakia did last month – is irrelevant in the context of the criteria for separating teams that are equal in points.
The latest painful example is Ukraine in the last qualifying group. Had Ireland drawn in Kiev, rather than losing due to an unfortunate own goal and missed penalty, the previous 3-2 home win would have secured a play-off on the basis of head-to-head superiority.
Should Ireland take a point in Helsinki, and all other results go to form, such as losses to Sweden and wins over the seeds of Slovakia and Georgia, then a win in the return over Anna Signeul’s side would give Ireland the upper hand. Reason can win and that rematch next September can be moved to Aviva Stadium to meet demand.
“I guess you would take a draw from home,” Fahey admitted. “Realistically, it would not be the worst result. A win would be fantastic but a draw is good, I would think.”
Finland wants to keep its perfect start for next month’s trip to Sweden.
They swept Ireland convincingly during the 2017 European Championship qualifiers and won a 2-0 victory over Tallaght by handing out a 4-1 hammer in Valkeakoski.
They will have multiple of the 1,000 turnout behind them at the National Stadium tomorrow, fully expecting to inflict an early and potentially deadly blow on Ireland’s ambitions to split the leading pair of seeds.
Natalia Kuikka was among the goal scorers in the last competition meeting with Ireland five years ago and has become a mainstay in the American top suit Portland Thorns.
The 25-year-old was rested before Finland’s trip to Georgia, which they won 3-0, and is ready for battle against Ireland.
“We fully expect to win this match because we want to qualify for the World Cup,” said the defender of the prospects for the Finns, seeded in 25th place in the world, seven places above Ireland.
“Of course Ireland will give us a difficult match. I watched a bit of Ireland’s match against Sweden and they were tough opposition. But all we need to do is find our own weapons to crash Ireland.”
Ireland arrived in the Finnish capital on Saturday on a charter flight and will undergo their final training this afternoon at the match venue.