Vera Pauw’s side climbed one place up to 26th, which means they are now in the top 16 European teams.

Since Pauw took charge in 2019 the team has moved up six places overall. The Irish manager feels that they can go even higher as the team seeks qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“It is fantastic to see the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team rise up to their highest ever position in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings because this is a reflection of the tremendous work that the players and staff have put in over the years.

“We have been growing together and improving with each game, so while this achievement is brilliant it is only one part of our journey that continues with two hugely important FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers at home to Finland and away to Slovakia in September.

“Everything that we achieve is as a team and that includes our amazing fans, our sponsors and everyone at the FAI. We will continue to work hard to keep climbing those rankings as we aim to qualify for next summer’s World Cup.”

Ireland will take on Finland on Thursday, September 1st in Tallaght Stadium before Travelling to face Slovakia in Senec on Thursday, September 6th.

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The match will be Vera Pauw and co.’s fourth 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier and their third home fixture – they have yet to pick up a win at home in the campaign.

Ireland’s most recent match was a 1-1 draw with Slovakia, who netted against the run of play at the start of the second half.

Wing-back Katie McCabe pulled Ireland out of the fire on Thursday but they will need a more convincing performance against Georgia to mount a challenge for a place in the top two.

A win would put them in second on seven points with the same amount of games played as the rest of the group – currently, they sit fourth, level on points with Slovakia but behind due to the head-to-head away goal Slovakia scored.

Pauw’s Tigers have the second-best defence in the group, second only to Sweden – the second-best side in the world.

However, only three goals to their name underlines their wastefulness in the attacking third, something they must improve on if they are to make a push for World Cup qualification.

Their opponents come in the form of Georgia, who are yet to find the net in the qualifiers and have allowed nine goals in just three games.

The Georgians’ last goal in competitive football came against Israel thirteen months ago and another goalless 90 minutes against Ireland would mark five games without finding the net.

Their last competitive win came in a 2019 World Cup preliminary qualifier – a stage of qualification they did not get past.

If Ireland are to get the advantage on Finland and Slovakia at the halfway stage, now is their chance.

Teams

Republic of Ireland (4-2-3-1): Brosnan; Ziu, Fahey, Lo. Quinn, Caldwell; Littlejohn, Connolly; Lu. Quinn, O’Sullivan, McCabe (C), Carusa.

Subs: Moloney, Walsh, McCarthy, Atkinson, Barrett, O’Gorman, Finn, Farrelly, Grant, Noonan, Whelan, McLaughlin.

Georgia (4-2-3-1): Sukhashvili; Kalandadze, Sutidze, Tatuashvili, Khaburdzania; Pasikashvili, N. Daniela; Bebia, Tsotseria, Cheminava; Tchkonia (C).

Subs: Gabunia, Chkartishvili, Janikashvili, Bakradze, M. Danelia, Bolkvadze, Mtskerashvili, Dzadzua.

Odds

Ireland 1/50

Draw 9/1

Georgia 25/1

Where To Watch

The game will be available to watch live on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player with coverage starting at 6:30 pm.

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Ireland have played one game less than the rest of their group (Group A – UEFA) but sit level on points with Slovakia.

An away win in Finland got Vera Pauw’s side off the mark after an own goal last time out in Tallaght against World number two Sweden spelt defeat in their first game.

Record ticket sales have been recorded for the match, with a new attendance record expected to be announced during the match – the fans are behind the Women’s side much like the Men’s.

Ireland have no injury issues ahead of the game, with all players called up available for selection.

Slovakia are the first side that Ireland will face in the campaign that are below them in the rankings – the Falcons sit 45th in the world, 12 behind the Republic of Ireland.

Defeats to Sweden and Finland saw them start their campaign on the wrong foot but they will step out under the Tallaght floodlights on Thursday night in search of a second successive win.

Peter Kopún’s players earned their first three points at home to Georgia, who play the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, November 30.

22-year-old midfielder Mária Mikolajová has scored twice for Slovakia in their last two games.

Vera Pauw’s Tigers are yet to keep a clean sheet in the qualification campaign, which Mikolajová could take as an invitation.

Yet, Slovakia have never beaten Ireland, losing all five times the two sides have played each other, only scoring once.

Tonight could change that, but with a record crowd behind them, Ireland will fancy their chances.

Teams

Republic of Ireland (5-4-1): Brosnan; O’Gorman, Fahey, Lo. Quinn, McCarthy, McCabe (C); Finn, Connolly, O’Sullivan; Payne, Lu. Quinn.

Subs: Moloney, Walsh, Atkinson, Caldwell, Littlejohn, Barrett, Carusa, Farrelly, Grant, O’Mahony, Whelan, McLaughlin.

Slovakia (5-4-1): Korenciova; Horvathova, Broova, Fischerova, Bartovicova, Vojtekova; Skorvankova (C), Mikolajova, Surnovska, Hmirova; Matavkova.

Subs: Rezekova, Chladekova, Zemberyova, Ceriova, Panakova, Fabova, Mazuchova, Ondrudova, Kosikova, Lemisova, Bytcankova.

Odds

Republic of Ireland 1/2

Draw 13/5

Slovakia 4/1

Where To Watch

The match will kick off at 7 pm and will be available to watch on RTÉ 2 from 6:30 pm.

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This Irish side pressed high, not giving their hosts time to settle, early in the game.

The Irish Women’s side looked the more dangerous inside the opening 10 minutes with Megan Connolly firing. Katie McCabe and Heather Payne provided width for the side while Denise O’Sullivan made impressive breaks from midfield.

Iceland responded with a couple of half chances but brave defending – particularly by Louise Quinn – ensured that they could not find a way through. Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan was fully alert between the posts.

On 31 minutes, Amber Barrett hooked a left-footed shot wide from just inside the penalty area. It was a positive sign of Ireland’s intent to shoot when within distance of the Iceland’s goal.

Iceland broke free five minutes later with Berglind Björg Þorvaldsdóttir but her shot was well dealt with by Brosnan. At the other end, Connolly forced a save from goalkeeper Rúnarsdóttir with a shot from distance.

Early in the second half, Iceland almost broke the deadlock when Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir got free inside the area. Brosnan put her off, however, before Diane Caldwell charged down a shot.

Iceland finally made the breakthrough with poor Irish defending assisting their effort. Þorvaldsdóttir pounced inside the area to poke the ball past Brosnan after breaking free from her marker to score the opening goal of the game.

The Republic of Ireland tried to find a way back into the game and substitute Jessica Ziu added a lot of speed. A brilliant strike from Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir then ended the contest as she secured a 2-0 victory for her side.

The Republic of Ireland will travel to Georgia in September for their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier.

Iceland: Rúnarsdóttir; Halldórsdóttir, Viggósdóttir, Gísladóttir; Vilhjálmsdóttir, Brynjarsdóttir (Ágústsdóttir 72), GY Jónsdóttir (Tómsdóttir 80), SJ Jónsdóttir (Albertsdóttir 72), Jóhannsdóttir (Hauksdóttir 46), Sigurðardóttir (Arnardóttir 46); Þorvaldsdóttir (Jensen 80).

Republic of Ireland: Brosnan; Finn, O’Riordan, Quinn, Caldwell, O’Mahony (McLaughlin 80); O’Sullivan, Connolly; Payne, Barrett (Ziu 62), McCabe.

Referee: Kirsty Dowie (England).

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