Ireland’s countdown to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers continue as they take on Iceland in the first of two back-to-back friendly internationals
The first game kicks off on Friday night at 6pm before the teams meet again on Tuesday, June 15th in what should be two highly competitive games.
“Iceland are a fantastic opponent” said Ireland Manager Vera Pauw, “because they are playing in the same kind of style of Sweden and Finland, who are the top two seeded teams in our World Cup qualifying group.
“These friendly games will help us to prepare for those qualifiers later in the year” added Paw.
"Similar to the games against Denmark and Belgium in April, we chose to go with a strong opponent so that we can challenge ourselves because this will be the last window before we begin the World Cup qualifiers in September” added Pauw.
"Playing against a team like Iceland allows us to further develop our game - both defensively and from an attacking perspective. We have been making positive strides in our overall development and these games are perfect for testing us in the right kind of environment."
Iceland are currently 17th in the FIFA World Rankings, which is 17 places above Vera Pauw’s team (34th), and have qualified for the 2022 UEFA Women’s European Championships.
There will be 1,500 spectators in attendance at the national stadium for the two games.
Ireland have no injury concerns for Ireland with all players having trained this week. Aoife Colvill received her FIFA international clearance last Tuesday, having switched associations from Australia.
All of the players & staff have tested negative for COVID-19.
Republic of Ireland
Goalkeepers: Grace Moloney (Reading), Courtney Brosnan (Unattached), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)
Defenders: Keeva Keenan (Celtic), Claire O’Riordan (MSV Duisburg), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Louise Quinn (Fiorentina), Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Claire Walsh (Peamount United), Éabha O’Mahony (Cork City), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Jamie Finn (Shelbourne), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Roma McLaughlin (Connecticut Fusion), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Rianna Jarrett (Unattached), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Aoife Colvill (Glasgow City)
Match Details
Iceland v Republic of Ireland
International Friendly
Friday, June 11
Laugardalsvollur
KO 18:00 (Irish Time)
Referee: Rebecca Welch (England)
