EURO 2021 Qualifier Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Ukraine

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

The Girls in Green will be looking to get the Vera Pauw regime off to the best possible start on Tuesday evening when they welcome Ukraine to Tallaght Stadium (kick-off is at 7.30pm).

The sold-out signs have been around Tallaght for days now, with much excitement building around this Irish team – with 8,000 fans expected to pack out the Dublin 24 venue.

With much excitement circling around the game, new Ireland boss Pauw has called on those with tickets to descend on Tallaght Stadium.     

“We know there are winds predicated for the time of the game, and there are other genuine reasons that people might be thinking of not coming along.

“But we really need the fans there behind us. The Irish fans can have a big impact on difficult moments in the game, so if you have a ticket, please come. And if you really cannot, give it to one of the many people looking for one.

Pauw added; “We need a positive result from this game, we cannot lose. Our first aim is to win the game, but we cannot lose and so if we need to make a decision to go for a draw, we will do that on the night.”
 
Ireland captain Katie McCabe also spoke at Monday’s press conference; “This is a big game for us. Our aim is to qualify, and this match is huge for us in terms of doing that.

“We’ve had a good week together; I feel everyone has reacted really well to everything that has been asked of us, we have worked really hard and we know what Vera wants from us in the game.

“We will go out there to do our best, like we always do, and having the Irish supporters behind us will just spur us on even more.”

Ireland will have no injury worries going into the game to contend with.

UKRAINE

Ukraine will be looking to spoil the Tallaght Stadium party on Tuesday evening when they travel to the Dublin 24 venue in search of a win over the Girls in Green.

The Ukrainians come into the Tallaght showdown in a vein of wretched form, conceding 16 goals in their opening two qualifiers against Germany.

Both defeats have seen Ukraine ship eight goals – with the Germans proving to be a step above the Eastern European side.

However, Ukraine have pedigree in terms of reaching major competitions – qualifying for the 2009 European Championships in Finland.

Manager Natalia Zinchenko has been the manager of the Ukraine since 2018, taking over from former Ukrainian international centre-back Volodymyr Reva. 

However, Ukraine had won two of their previous three games prior to the two consecutive defeats both home and away to Germany, seeing off Hungary and Sweden by one and two goal margins.

Ukraine are currently ranked 25^th in the FIFA World Rankings, in contrast to the Republic of Ireland’s 32^nd placed position.  

Referee: Désirée Grundbacher (Switzerland).

MATCH STATS

The Republic of Ireland’s win over Montenegro was their second consecutive competitive win on the bounce, having defeated Northern Ireland by four goals to nil in their last World Cup Qualifier at Tallaght Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland have never met the Ukraine before in a competitive outing.

Ukraine have reached a record high of 16^th position in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, while Ireland on the other hand have soared to as high as 27^th before back in 2008.  

BETTING

Republic of Ireland 11/10; Draw 9/4; Ukraine 15/8.

PREDICTION

Republic of Ireland 1 - 1 Ukraine

Republic of Ireland

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Ukraine

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Unavailable.