After crucial back-to-back wins over Poland in April, Carla Ward's Republic of Ireland have put themselves in a position where they can look upwards in their World Cup qualifying group.
While they are not quite mathematically guaranteed to finish third, the only way Ireland could miss out on a top-three finish would require Poland to beat both France and the Netherlands in this window.
Realistically, Ireland have at least third spot in the bag which brings the benefit of a more favourable play-off path.
But also a shock Irish result or two versus the Dutch and the French - the latter away in Grenoble next Tuesday - could see the Girls in Green achieve the unthinkable and qualify directly for Brazil 2027.
They will be heavy underdogs in both games but will have home advantage on Friday (live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player) when the Dutch face Ireland at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The Cork venue has been a happy hunting ground for Ireland to date with a stunning win over France two years ago and a successful revenge mission against Slovenia last year.
But Ward will have to plan without two of her most important players. Denise O'Sullivan will be serving a yellow card suspension for the match in her hometown as will the in-form Emily Murphy.
So how will Ireland replace the influential duo as they look to upset the Oranje's women's team?
"Denise was obviously missing for the last Dutch game as well and Lucy Quinn came in, so potentially is that going to be the same swap? But for me, I'd love to see Jess Ziu in there," Shelbourne and former Republic of Ireland midfielder Rachel Graham said on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
"She came on in that position in one of the games as well. I think she's a really good attacking midfielder that we have and again, someone who's special, a really talented player.
"I'd love to see her get a chance in there. She could be as good as Denise with the exposure, the game-time, a bit more experience.
"That's who I'd like to see in there. But probably if you're looking at most likely, it's probably going to be Lucy Quinn seeing as that was the same (change made) in the last reverse fixture.
"And then Emily Murphy again, it's going to be such a huge loss. She's been player of the match nearly every time we've played, and she's really kind of grown in that role.
"But it's probably Abbie Larkin (to fill in for her). She seems to be the first player coming on in our attacking substitution.
"So she's probably the one who is the most like-for-like. Carla, after the last Dutch game, spoke about how good Emily was off the ball and out of possession and just brings that energy, closing centre-halves down.
"So Abbie can give us that side of the game where if you're looking at the likes of a Saoirse Noonan, she's probably not that type of player as well.
"I think (Noonan's) more for coming on if we have possession, we have a team's backs against the wall, she'll come on. She's great at that role.
"But I think if you're looking at who's going to start in the 11, I don't really see it being past Abbie Larkin and probably the only other (player) really in contention there is Amber Barrett. But I think Abbie Larkin seems to be a bit more in favour at the moment."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Netherlands in FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying on Friday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch Canada v Republic of Ireland in the early hours of Saturday morning (12.15am) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app
