Republic of Ireland WNT needs ‘resistance’ against Sweden in the World Cup qualifiers, says manager Vera Pauw | Football news
Ireland manager Vera Pauw says that her team will have to show resistance in their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Sweden.
Ireland have four games left of their attempt to qualify for their first major tournament ever at the 2023 World Cup.
Next month, Girls in Green is facing a scary journey to the world’s second ranked side.
Involved in a battle for second place in Group A and a playoff spot would be anything but a significant defeat a positive result.
Ireland played against Sweden earlier in the campaign, when an own goal by Louise Quinn gave the guests a 1-0 victory in Tallaght Stadium.
But Pauw expects a stronger and “fresh” Swedish attire this time, given that the meeting in October last year was outside the top seed’s race for the Olympic final.
“When there is such a gap in the rankings – Sweden is number two in the world at the moment – then the only way to approach it is that we all realize the resistance we get, that we have felt the resistance we will face.” , Pauw explained.
“It is not that we want to lean back, but I am afraid that Sweden will push us back.
“We will record a boys’ match in that camp, more or less [based] on the pressure from Sweden. So there will be a huge pressure.
“Then it’s to be ready for the tasks you have to perform in teamwork. It’s the only way you can prepare.”
Still, she has seen enough from her side to know that they can face all adversity.
“But what this team has is that they never collapse. We have come back so often after a setback,” she said. “This team will be strong. I think that’s the key to getting you to qualify – that you never collapse, no matter what happens. If we had collapsed from our own goal (in the home game), then had it been 5-0 at home, but we did not collapse.
“It’s a whole process. We will work a lot with it, what to do when you have that setback.”
A changed format?
Ireland missed qualifying for this summer’s European Championships, after Ukraine took them to second place in the qualifying group.
Pauw’s team is currently in second place in Group A in the World Cup qualifiers, after an away win against rivals Finland who were seeded above them.
But Pauw feels that it would be a fairer system if the second and third enter the playoffs.
“Very simple – to not only have number two in the playoffs, but also three. So they have crossovers. Then you get the best teams,” she reasons.
“It’s very simple, but someone has to do it. And sometimes I have a feeling that I’m the only one who sees this, because when I talk to other coaches or managers, they say, yes, it would be better.
“You can put [the play-offs] in a window. If you do the crossover, it does not take an extra day, it just does not. I do not understand why it is not done. “
McCabe suited for a deeper role?
One of the key players for Ireland is Arsenal star Katie McCabe. Under Pauw’s leadership, she has been placed on the left side of the field with Girls in Green, compared to a more advanced role with the Gunners.
But the former head of the Netherlands and Scotland reasoned that she is more efficient as she moves forward from a deeper position, rather than being forced to jump back.
“When Katie plays up front at Arsenal, she always ends up a layer behind,” Pauw explained.
“She always ends up a row backwards. And I think it shows every time that when she gets there she is more dangerous than when she is already there.
“For us, the biggest thing is that we get a pendulum that works behind her, so that she can get there. In the system we play, on the left side, it is her strongest position.
“When she arrives, she is less dangerous than when she gets there. She is very good at seeing the gaps and spaces in front of her. You can often see her getting the ball and playing back, because she does not see the alternative.
“But when the alternative is available, she comes in mostly indoors and then steams up and attacks the opponent’s penalty area.”
The ‘Sky WNT Fund’ will award at least € 25,000 this year to help five women’s national team players with their academic studies and off-field career development.