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Pauw proud and excited as Ireland eye huge challenge

Updated / Saturday, 22 Oct 2022 16:52
Head coaches and managers, including the Republic of Ireland's Vera Pauw, at the draw in Auckland
Head coaches and managers, including the Republic of Ireland's Vera Pauw, at the draw in Auckland

Vera Pauw insists the Republic of Ireland "don't fear anyone" as they brace themselves for a massive World Cup challenge next summer in Australia and New Zealand.

The Girls in Green were handed a tough draw on Saturday morning, being grouped with co-hosts Australia, reigning Olympic Games champions Canada, and Nigeria, one of the strongest teams in Africa.

Only the top two will progress to the last 16 and though she acknowledged it will be a huge ask for her team, Pauw - who attended the draw in Auckland - is invigorated by the prospect of competing on such a grand stage.

"This morning we had a meeting with all the countries and FIFA in a big ballroom," she said.

"We were welcomed as one of the three debutants. At that moment I felt goosebumps over my whole body. Like, 'yeah, we're here’.

"If you then see your country coming out of the pot, to play the host nation [Australia] in the opening game, yeah it’s a dream come true. Nobody fears anyone. We don’t fear this challenge either."

That first game against the Matildas is a blockbuster. Ireland beat the world No 13-ranked Australia 3-2 in a friendly at Tallaght Stadium 13 months ago, but this will be an altogether different prospect.

The countries collide in Sydney on Thursday 20 July for what will feel in many ways like an international derby, given the deep Irish connection Down Under.

"How good is it that you can play the opening game against the host nation in a full stadium, in a country where half of the country has Irish backgrounds, more maybe?" Pauw added.

"Other people are now fighting at home because of the dilemma whether they will support Australia or Ireland! Even if they support Australia, they will be a little bit in their heart for us.

"It's really the most exciting draw that you could get. On the other hand, we also have the Olympic champions in our group, Canada, and the best team from Pot 4, Nigeria.

"They should have been higher ranked but they don’t get the [ranking] points because they don’t play higher-ranked teams. So it is challenging... everybody can steal points from each other.

"We don’t fear anyone. We will be well prepared and we’ll have our game plan ready. Then, off we go I would say."

Pauw conceded "it is not realistic" to expect Ireland to win the group but they'll fancy themselves to give progression a real go.

Adding to the difficulty of their task is the prospect of travelling across the vast country and back again in a hectic 11-day period. Ireland face the Aussies in Sydney, then fly over 3,000km to Perth for the clash with Canada, and double back to take on Nigeria in Brisbane.

Each country will have its own Team Base Camp, special sites that will include pitches and accommodation. FIFA are scheduled to make a final decision on where exactly these bases will be before the end of the year, but Ireland will weigh up their options before nailing down any plans.

"We are the only group that has that [amount of travel]," Pauw reflected. "That is unfair, we knew it ahead, they haven’t done that deliberately.

"There’s one group that has to travel a lot. In the meeting this morning it was said they will have an extra day to clear the hotel… it’s something we have to face. It’s for the whole group.

"We need to see if can create a home base for our hotel and travel from that to the venue, or we don’t take a base and we travel from venue to venue. We’ll put all the pros and cons on the line and then we’ll decide and tell FIFA."

GROUP B FIXTURES

Republic of Ireland v Australia, Sydney, Thursday 20 July

Republic of Ireland v Canada, Perth, Wednesday 26 July

Republic of Ireland v Nigeria, Brisbane, Monday 31 July

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