Republic of Ireland women's captain Emma Byrne is confident her side can get a result in their EURO 2017 qualifier against Spain in Madrid on Tuesday (5pm Irish time).
The race for qualification is hotting up as Group 2 enters the final stretch. Spain hold a commanding nine-point lead from Ireland and Finland, who look to be battling it out for the runner-up spot.
Ireland lost 2-0 at home to the Finns last September and June's away fixture could be pivotal.
The Girls in Green go into the game on the back of a 5-0 win away to Montenegro last Thursday with the Spaniards coming away from Portugal with a 4-1 win on Friday.
Group leaders Spain have a perfect record of five wins from five, scoring 18 goals in the process. Despite having already lost 3-0 to them in Dublin, Byrne is quietly confident heading into the game.
Byrne, who made her 125th international appearance, told FAI TV: “Qualification has been our aim from the very start. The result against Finland was a bit of a knock back and a blow for us because we were expecting to beat them. It doesn’t hinder us in any way because we are still in with a great chance of qualifying.
"Spain are number one seeds and a really good team, but there is no reason why, that if we perform well that we can’t go out and beat them.“
“There is a good feeling in our camp. Confidence has grown, especially since the win in Montenegro so it’s a good time for us to play Spain, in Spain, because I think we play better away from home as well.
Head Coach Sue Ronan is without full-back Sophie Perry for the game due to work commitments, while Shelbourne goalkeeper Niamh Reid-Burke has been ruled out as she continues her rehabilitation from an ankle injury.
