REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WOMEN'S HEAD COACH Vera Pauw has asked for members of the public to come and support the Ireland team ahead of their first World Cup.
The Irish WNT will be playing in their first World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next month, and the game against Zambia tonight (7.30pm) will be one of two friendlies that Ireland will play in the Tallaght Stadium.
Tickets for Ireland's game against Zambia in the Tallaght Stadium have been sold out. However, Pauw has asked everyone and anyone to turn up and support the Girls in Green tonight.
"This will be our first home game in nine months, so we are looking forward to playing in front of our amazing fans again," said Pauw to members of the media this week. "All of the tickets are sold out, so we would encourage everyone to turn up to Tallaght Stadium to cheer on the team in what is an important game for our preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We started our training camp on June 12 with a very detailed program for our players to ensure their safety on returning to play from club action and holidays. Now, we must use this game to rise up to the challenge of one of Africa’s best teams.
The Girls in Green face Zambia at Tallaght this evening (7.30pm, live on RTÉ2) and with the World Cup squad announcement due next week it makes for a vital last chance to impress Vera Pauw and the management team and get on the plane to Australia. Good luck everyone. ☘️ #coygig pic.twitter.com/bwj2cIDdXu
— Éire Guide (@eireguide) June 22, 2023
“The reason we chose to play against Zambia is because we have Nigeria in our World Cup Group, so we must be ready for that type of opponent," she added. "This game also adds to our preparation plan for the tournament and gives us an opportunity for players to get back onto the pitch again.”
Ireland will also play one more game before they begin their World Cup adventure. Ireland will take on France on July 6.
They will then play against co-hosts Australia in their opening game of the World Cup. They will also play Nigeria and Canada in consecutive weeks.
IRELAND WNT SQUADGoalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Tara O'Hanlon (Peamount United)Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Isibeal Atkinson (West Ham United), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United)Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC)
MATCH DETAILSInternational FriendlyIreland v ZambiaThursday, June 22Tallaght StadiumKO 19:30LIVE on RTÉ2
MATCH OFFICIALSReferee: Caroline Lanssens (Belgium)Assistant Referee: Irmgard van Meirvenne (Belgium)Assistant Referee: Melissa Leiear (Belgium)Fourth Official: Jana van Laere (Belgium)
