Dec 03,2024
Friday's contest in Cardiff was cagey and absorbing, but proceedings fizzled out somewhat in the last 20 minutes with both sides perhaps content to head for Dublin all square.
Wales fancy this. Ireland fancy this. And neither country is inclined to take a backwards step in the physicality stakes.
There was certainly enough needle in the first leg to suggest this winner-takes-all showdown at Lansdowne Road is going to be feisty. A flashpoint involving Ruesha Littlejohn and Jess Fishlock brought things to the boil; while Katie McCabe got in a couple of tangles with Liverpool's Ceri Holland that left a sour taste.
"They were cheap shots more than anything," McCabe said this afternoon when asked about the skirmishes. "I don't mind going toe-to-toe with someone in a tackle but ones off the ball I'm like, 'come on'.
"Look, whatever game they want to play, we’ll be prepared for it tomorrow. For us, I know I’m repeating myself, but we know what we have to do. We know what’s on the line and what’s at stake. We’ll be ready to leave it all out there."
The FAI said on Monday morning that over 25,000 tickets have been shifted so the Girls in Green can expect a partisan, vocal backing.
Ireland head coach Eileen Gleeson has no fresh injury concerns and aired her own belief that her players have another gear in them.
"There were certain things we were unhappy with," she said. "(It was a) scrappy game, a battle between two teams. We want to create more chances and score more goals. Some areas to work on but the game evolved into what we wanted it to.
"It was exactly how we thought they'd set up and exactly the rotations they use in midfield, their moves, what they are strong at. It was the pictures we expected to see. I am sure they are saying the same about us."
With little between the two sides in terms of overall ability, Gleeson is aware the little details could swing this tie.
Certainly, having home advantage is a big help. Welsh boss Rhian Wilkinson suggested that actually might put more pressure on Ireland to deliver, but that's not the view in the green corner. They're looking to harness the power of a crowd that is anticipated to be between 25,000 and 30,000.
"It's focusing on the job at hand and just what we need to do ourselves," said a bullish Gleeson.
"It's an absolute privilege to be coming out at home with - as it stands - 25,000 tickets (sold) and people attending the game. It’s pressure on us, it’s a pressure situation. It’s an absolute honour and we will embrace all of our support, which I’m sure as Katie said will be loud and vocal.
"We look forward to that. Look, it’s an occasion. We have to manage the game and we have to be respectful to Wales and their attributes."
McCabe echoed those sentiments, adding: "I saw the numbers this morning, 25,000 sold is absolutely incredible.
"We are on our home patch, we got 25,000 Irish fans behind us, that is a massive boost for us. They always push us along."
"Of course I want to be getting up there but we have threats all over the park."
Ireland have been practising penalties in the event it goes the distance tomorrow. They will hope, obviously, that it doesn't come to that, with Gleeson admitting she wants to see her captain McCabe more involved offensively.
Littlejohn's long-range effort caught out goalkeeper Olivia Clark in Cardiff. Don't be surprised to see McCabe try her luck from distance if she gets the opportunity.
"We’ve been working on it, not just me," McCabe said. "We have players all over the pitch who can hit the target. It’s about getting up the pitch together and getting ourselves into more creative opportunities.
"You have seen Ruesha’s goal, which was obviously fantastic. We’ve looked at it as a team, not just me.
"Of course I want to be getting up there but we have threats all over the park so it’s about making sure we can all get into good positions."
Shots fired then, on and off the field. Let battle commence.
