Vera Pauw admits that Ireland must raise the game to the Sweden test
A big task awaits Girls in Green.
Ireland manager Vera Pauw has admitted that her team must raise their stakes if they are to have any hope of securing a positive result against Sweden on Tuesday night.
Ireland arrived in Gothenburg ahead of Tuesday’s settlement over the weekend, knowing that they are facing a real test of their credentials.
With a win, the Swedes know that they can secure their place in the 2023 World Cup in Australia, even if Ireland hopes to be able to put sticks in the wheel.
“We have no choice but to raise our game …”
But if they do, it would undoubtedly be one of their greatest successes ever in international football, and it is a test they enjoy.
“This is the kind of game we want to be involved in and one that we have to experience if we are to reach our goal of qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023,” Pauw said ahead of Tuesday’s match.
“We are entering a full arena to play against the second highest ranked team in women’s football, so we have no choice but to raise our game.
“We are ready to go now”
WNT Defender @ louise_quinn4 includes the ethos of @SkyIreland ‘OUTBELIEVE’ Campaign 💪#SWEIRL | #COYGIG | #UTTRO pic.twitter.com/vF0xSr4GVa
– FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) April 11, 2022
“We have prepared as best we can within the time frame we have been given. We have four difficult qualifying matches left in our group and we feel ready to take on those challenges.
“Sweden is next in line and we fully respect their quality. We know we have to adapt to their game because they are second in the world. We hope to continue the good form we have shown in recent matches and compete as a team against this huge team. “
Sweden v Ireland.
On the way into the match, Ireland’s task is well known, where Sweden won its latest World Cup qualifier away against Georgia with 15-0.
However, Ireland saw off the Georgians with an 11-0 win, but the level difference between Girls in Green and Sweden is large.
Kick-off for Tuesday’s match is at 17.30with coverage set to start at 17.00 on RTE 2. You can read all about that game here.
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