Carla Ward managed to get her Republic of Ireland squad in a day earlier than usual ahead of what could be a remarkable week for the Girls in Green.
April's World Cup qualifier wins against Poland left Ireland on six points, one off France and two behind the Dutch, who they face at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday night. Ward takes her side to Grenoble the following Tuesday for a climactic showdown with the French.
If they were to win both games, Ireland would top the group and go straight to next year's tournament in Brazil.
That would be a monumental achevement. Ireland are the bottom seeds in the group; finishing third (and thus being seeded in the autumn's play-offs) would represent an overachievement.
And while it would require an extraordinary pair of performances, Ward has enjoyed a positive beginning to preparations at the Fota Island resort in Cork.
"I stole an extra day," she said. "Clubs were very cooperative. We had them in on Sunday which was good. So that gives us an extra day on the grass which has been really beneficial. We have a lot of classroom sessions and they're all important in everything we do.
"I always talk to them about how we have our own expectations and our own ambitions and I think it's important that we continue to go after them. I think that realistically where we're at, naturally, of course, people will be talking about, can we? But look we're still the underdog. That's the reality. We're still playing two of the best teams in the world but we want to be competing with them as well."
The Dutch will be without Manchester City star Vivianne Miedema, Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar and FC Twente's Jill Roord but will still be highly fancied to win on Leeside.
Suspended pair Denise O'Sullivan and Emily Murphy are two huge losses for Ireland, though both will be available for the France match. Captain Katie McCabe - reportedly on her way to Chelsea - is a booking away from missing the trip to Grenoble.
"Katie would be a good fit for any team in the world," Ward said when pressed on the Chelsea rumours.
"She's a top, top player. I've said it a lot. She's the best left-back in the world and no question about it. Last year she was in every single WSL team of the year no matter where you looked. Katie would be a good fit for anybody and any team will be lucky to have her.
"Denise and 'Murph' are huge losses. They've been unbelievable this campaign. Naturally you have to replace that. But what I would say is we've got a group that are really hungry and players that are ready to step up.
"Looking at today, we looked at different people in those areas and they've given us real headaches. Whoever goes in there will do a job for sure."
Players are arriving in camp with various levels of exertions behind them. Caitlin Hayes suffered FA Cup final heartbreak on Sunday with Brighton and Hove Albion, who were beaten 4-0 by WSL champions Manchester City. Saoirse Noonan meanwhile enjoyed her day in the sun as Celtic defeated Rangers 1-0 in the Scottish Cup decider. The pair are due to link up with the squad on Monday evening.
"It's always a difficult time because you've got players that finished weeks ago, you've got players that finished a couple of weeks ago, you've got players that are still in training," said Ward.
"That's a difficult moment to manage as it was last year. This week some players will do certain amounts in different types of sessions but ultimately by the end of the week hopefully we'll have everyone fresh and ready to go."
Ireland have played two games at the Páirc and won them both - against a weakened France in 2024 and Slovenia last year. Scalping the Dutch would be their finest feat yet, with Ward - who strongly hinted she intends to narrow the pitch - banking on big support to fire her team.
"Let's be really honest, I don't think anyone in world football would give us a chance with two games to go to be competing where we are now," she added.
"I'm really big on belief and confidence. You have to have an attitude and a mindset that you can compete against anybody. This will be no different. We're inviting one of the best teams in the world with world class players and you know it's an honour to be playing against those types of teams so we'll embrace it and hopefully we can do what we need to do."
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
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