Iceland v Republic of Ireland - where can I watch it and what do I need to know?

Katie McCabe in action for Ireland in a 0-0 draw with Iceland at Tallaght Stadium on June 7th, 2017.

Katie McCabe in action for Ireland in a 0-0 draw with Iceland at Tallaght Stadium on June 7th, 2017. Credit: Laszlo Geczo (ETPhotos)

The Republic of Ireland face Iceland in the first of back-to-back friendlies as the respective sides complete their preparation for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign (kick-off 6pm)..

The two games in Reykjavik will serve as tuner for both sides as they head into challenging qualifying groups in September.

Ireland will face Nordic sides Sweden and Finland, both seeded higher than Vera Pauw’s side, while Iceland’s group is led by the 2019 finalists the Netherlands, who won Ireland’s group last time out.

Of the two sides, Iceland come on the back of better form as they narrowly lost their first of two games away to Italy before drawing the second 1-1.

Italy edged the first game in Coverciano 1-0, but the second ended 1-1 as Bayern Munich’s Karolina Lia Vilhjalmsdottir cancelled out Valentina Giacinti’s first-minute goal.

Ireland’s fortunes have been more limited, and narrow defeats to Denmark in Tallaght and Belgium in Brussels have seen the Girls in Green go a calendar year without so much as a draw.

This is good preparation for both teams, however, although the Icelanders will be favourites owing to their higher FIFA ranking.

What time is the match?

Kick-off is 6pm.

Where is the match?



Laugardalsvollur, Iceland

Who is the referee?

Rebecca Welch from England is the referee.

Are there tickets available?

All 1,500 tickets are sold out.

Where can I watch it?



The game will be shown live in the Republic of Ireland on RTÉ News Now and the RTÉ Player.

Can I stream it online?

Republic of Ireland residents can watch the game on the RTÉ Player here.

Who are they key players to watch?                                                                       

For Iceland, the player to watch is undoubtedly Bayern Munich’s Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir, who has made an impact in Germany since moving at the beginning of the calendar year.

The midfielder was on target to earn Iceland a draw in their last friendly with Italy, and aside from a keen eye for goal is technically adept and will look to dictate the tempo.

The intriguing name in the Irish line-up is Australian-born Aoife Colvill, the Glasgow City striker making her debut after he international clearance came through.

Colvill has been part of a dominant Glasgow side for the last couple of years and has impressed Vera Pauw enough to earn a start ahead of more established options.

Team news:

Both sides have full squads to pick from.

Read the full match preview here.

Betting:

Iceland 10/11; Draw 2/1; Republic of Ireland 5/2.

    About Dave Donnelly

    Drogheda is in Meath. View Full Profile