Katie McCabe urges Republic of Ireland WNT to be ruthless ahead of Georgia clash tomorrow night
Ireland WNT lead Georgia 6-0 in their European Championship play-off ahead of the return leg in Tallaght Stadium tomorrow.
Katie McCabe insists she has just Georgia on her mind even if tomorrow’s European championship play-off is a done deal.
With Ireland 6-0 ahead from the first leg, the reality is that the Girls in Green are through to a play-off final that will determine whether 2024 will be remembered as a breakthrough year or a missed opportunity.
In truth, tomorrow’s game in a sold-out Tallaght is of less relevance than the events of Cardiff where Wales take on Slovakia in the other play-off semi-final. The winners of that tie meet Ireland next month.
Read more: Erik ten Hag sacked by Manchester United after dismal start to Premier League season
“But I’m only thinking about Georgia, nothing else,” said McCabe, the Ireland captain, who scored twice in last Friday’s 6-0 drubbing.
“From our point of view, we want to start the game tomorrow like we finished it in Georgia, which was to play a lot more controlled, patient, football. We connected our play a lot better in the second half of Friday’s game, and had a bit more urgency about us. That’s how we want to start the game tomorrow especially as it is in front of a sold out crowd.
“Georgia sat in a five as well, so we had to figure how best to connect the play going forward but when the management made some tactical changes at half time, we produced a much better performance in the second half.
“For us, it’s about concentrating on ourselves and us starting with intensity in our play and the fans, again it’s a sold out crowd, it’s so important to urge us on from that and our objective is to put on a good show for them as well.
“But first and foremost we have to be on the same page in what we do going forward and in our structure and as we are doing the right things together, I’m sure we can score some goals.”
Six of them came on Friday, two from set-pieces and it is already clear that Ireland are a better balanced team now than they were at the World Cup last year.
That partly stems from the release of McCabe from a defensive position. Under the Gleeson regime, liberty has arrived. She bombs forward on the left - and then - if marked tightly, is freed to play infield, as she did on Friday.
Other factors have also contributed to Ireland becoming easier on the eye and harder on the opposition.
Kyra Carusa’s development is one factor, Abbie Larkin’s maturation another. Then there is the return of Julie Ann Russell and Tyler Toland after prolonged absences for different reasons. Each player has different attributes but those qualities have allowed McCabe and the team’s other star player, Denise O’Sullivan, to roam forward.
“Be ruthless,” was the message that boss Eileen Gleeson delivered this afternoon.
She didn’t really want this job initially but has grown into it, placing her stamp on the side with a mixture of her strong personality and also her tactical acumen.
Gleeson said: “The message from day one in this camp has been repeated several times. It is to come out here and be ruthless with this game and to kill it off. It is the second part of this play-off and we will respect it like that. We need to start strong and hopefully score goals early and really enjoy the night.”
In truth, though, no matter what they say publicly, both Gleeson and McCabe know that the events of Cardiff are hugely relevant. Wales are a team Ireland know well and won’t really fear, Slovakia a physically big side who pose numerous threats.
Slovaka carry a 2-1 lead into their second leg tomorrow. Ireland face the winners next month.
Gleeson said: “I always knew it was going to be tight, that game. Wales have a similar profile to us. Slovakia have always been difficult to beat. And they have significantly improved. We played them in previous campaigns, a draw and a win. Difficult. At that time Sweden beat them 1-0 too. I always thought it was going to be a battle and that’s what it is. So it will be interesting to see how that goes.”
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
