The importance of home passes, training with boys and the Sweden settlement
VERA PAUW mentioned its squad for the Republic of Ireland for the upcoming World Cup qualifier 2023 against heavyweights Sweden yesterday.
But before any last-minute decisions were made and the 27 players were ready, she oversaw a training session for home-based players at FAI HQ, Abbotstown, the night before.
The Dutch coach went on to name six current Women’s National League players in his squad – Chloe Mustaki, Abbie Larkin, Jess Ziu (all Shelbourne), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths) and goalkeeper Eve Badana (DLR Waves) – which were all present on Wednesday.
They were among the big names in the domestic league that set the pace and offered the chance to impress, along with some of the country’s top minor internationals.
Pauw, her assistant coach Tom Elmes and goalkeeping coach Jan Willem van Ede, and U19 coach Dave Connell, were among those responsible for the procedure, the day after James Scott’s U17 – of which the previously mentioned Larkin was captain and thus sat outside – saw their campaign come to an end.
The goal is to run these home-based sessions once a month, and although it is not always possible with how international windows fall, they seem to be extremely beneficial.
Not all players use only the best resources at international senior level, e.g. statistical work, the adaptation of the age groups is a huge boost.
“When I used to do home-based sessions back with [former manager] Colin Bell, you would never see a minor player. Well maybe four or five, but now it’s incredible to see U16, U17, U19, says Ziu On the 42nd.
“I think in a way it also brings us together as a whole nation because 16s, 17s, 19s will all go on to the women’s team eventually. So I think it’s really good.
“I think the sessions are very beneficial too. They are a little more intense than a club session because everyone obviously wants to prove their point. So hopefully we have more to come.”
Another great workout at WNT Home-Based Training 💪
Players from #WNL trains at the FAI National Training Center#SWEIRL | #COYGIG | #We are one pic.twitter.com/aikUtCG6OJ
– FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 31, 2022
Before the players went their separate ways on Wednesday night, Pauw hammered in his well-documented advice to train with boys.
This is something she has talked about time and time again over the years and has often organized matches for her side against underage boys’ teams. In fact, they will use one to “try a few things” before traveling to Gothenburg for the clash on April 12 with Group A’s rampant leader.
Ziu, who recently agreed a deal to join West Ham this summer, strongly believes in training and playing against boys, having done so throughout his minor career with Rivermount.
“No matter how fit you are as a woman,” the 19-year-old explains, “the boys … we could eat healthy for years and the boys could eat takeaway and they’re just faster than us, stronger than us, they’re just boys! So I think it’s really beneficial to play with them.
“I think you can see the difference in some – Abbie Larkin, she plays with the boys and see how incredible she is at 16, two internationals, U17 captain. She’s good, she is, and you can see the difference. To train with the boys are very beneficial. ”
The vast majority of Girls In Green regulars are based abroad and end club commitments before the international break. There is a whole round of WNL games this weekend as well, with all players signing up for camp on Tuesday.
Gothenburg’s 18,000 capacity Gamla Ullevi [KO 5.30pm Irish time] host of the clash since Tuesday week.
The Swedes – the highest ranked side in Europe and second in Fifa’s world rankings, where Ireland has just moved up to 30th place – meet the group fishermen away Georgia five days before the visit of Pauw’s side.
“First we will tackle the away meeting with Georgia with full focus on bringing home a good result to Gothenburg and the meeting with Ireland.” said chef Peter Gerhardsson as he announced his squad this week; his side is also preparing for this summer’s European Championships, having won Olympic silver last year.
“Then we have everything in our own hands and can secure a place for the WC 2023 in front of our home supporters.”
Jess Ziu met Georgia earlier in the 2023 World Cup qualifier.
Source: Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Ireland will focus on themselves, as they are second in Group A with seven points in four matches.
They are one point ahead of Finland in the race for second place – the road to the playoffs – with a massive double goal in September against them and Slovakia coming.
But it’s all about Sweden now.
“I think we are underdogs who get into it, there is no pressure on us,” Ziu noted. “You saw the 21s beat them [this week], it is possible. I do not understand why it is not possible.
“The girls have been incredible in recent camps, the results we get are really good. I think Spain’s camp helped us a lot. Everyone got playing time. We really touched on some areas that needed to be fixed or improved. So I think everyone gets into this. the camp buzzing.
“Underdogs, so we have nothing to really lose to them. They probably have more to lose than us.”
Ireland’s 2019 World Cup qualifier 0-0 draw against the Netherlands in Nijmegen has been referred to through the build-up, as a huge result was secured in a cauldron atmosphere, and Ziu is keen to strive for even more along the line.
“I remember seeing pictures, it was orange everywhere,” she added. “0-0, as we celebrated, I hope that in the future we can get to the stage where we win 1-0 and celebrate like that – and a draw is not good enough anymore.
“We approach slowly – just like the men’s team, we get there slowly, but you still get there, you know?”
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