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Carla Ward: 'If we're on it we're going to take three points' against Poland in World Cup qualifier

Updated / Friday, 17 Apr 2026 15:50
Ireland coach Carla Ward
Carla Ward: 'If anyone thinks it's going to be similar games, they are mistaken'

Ireland manager Carla Ward, not surprisingly, is expecting a reaction from Poland for Saturday's World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium, but also backs her own squad to have enough quality to get the job done at the Dublin 4 venue.

On Tuesday evening, on a somewhat bumpy pitch in Gdansk, the Girls in Gren recorded a 3-2 win over the hosts. And the pair now renew acquaintances four days on, with Ward's side looking for back-to-back victories, an outcome that would go a long way to at least securing a third-place finish in a group also containing France and the Netherlands .

The Irish coach told Friday's press conference that she has a fully-fit squad to choose from, with Kyra Carusa returning after a bug ruled her out of contention for Tuesday's game.

"Kyra is available for selection and is fully fit," she said,

"She has been sensational in the Irish shirt and obviously offers us something a little bit different, an important player both on and off the pitch. We are blessed with options all over the park and that's really a good position to be in."

No two games are the same and the approach from both sides on Saturday afternoon will be key.

"A completely different" game is in the offing, says Ward, who nevertheless believes a fully focused mindset from her charges can help to secure successive wins in the group.

"We know Poland have got a lot of quality, we've spoken about that before. They've shown that against really good sides and got a really good point against the Netherlands. so I think we can expect a reaction.

"They'll adapt and we'll have to adapt to what they might do, as well as they adapting to what we might want to do. And from that we will pick a team that can win the game.

"If anyone thinks it's going to be similar games, they are mistaken. We have to treat it as a different game. We have to be prepared for that and we will be.

"This group are hungry to be better all the time and the only thing we've properly discussed is how we improve. We will potentially tweak things and go into this game knowing how they might react, but also prepared. We've got enough quality and if we're on it we're going to take three points."

Ireland captain Katie McCabe, who continued her recent goalscoring return for the national side with a superb strike in Gdansk, has her mind firmly fixed on securing another victory. She also dismissed the suggestion that being out of contract with Arsenal at end of the season is inspiring her strong form at present.

"I'm fully committed to doing my job here with Ireland," she said.

"I love coming in, seeing the girls and training with this team. We're an amazing group and there is lots to still come from us. That's what makes me excited, being on this journey under Carla.

The Dubliner is also relishing the opportunity to play at the Aviva again, saying: "I love playing here and any game we've played here has always been a massive occasion. I love the fans coming in in their numbers. It's a different sort of noise when they are cheering you on.

"Coming here to Lansdowne Road before the Aviva it was such a special thing to come and watch the men's team play; Robbie Keane and Damien Duff representing Ireland. I've always wanted to do that and now I'll be leading out the girls tomorrow."

Watch Republic Ireland v Poland in FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying on Saturday from 2.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app. Listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

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