With one Republic of Ireland World Cup qualifying campaign now over, another is beginning to warm up. Women’s head coach Carla Ward named her squad for the upcoming crucial double-header against Poland in Gdansk on April 14 and the Aviva on April 18. Jess Ziu was recalled after injury (as was the luckless Lily Agg -- who since been injured again) and the only uncapped player in the squad is 18-year-old Bohemians midfielder Aoibhe Brennan. Manager Carla Ward has says it is crucial that Republic of Ireland fans pack out the Aviva Stadium for the game against Poland on April 18. Ireland are bottom of the group after narrow defeats to France and the Netherlands last month. Poland are just a point ahead in third place after they earned a home draw against the Dutch. While a play-off would still be guaranteed even by finishing fourth, third place would in theory offer an easier pathway, making the two games against the Poles all the more crucial.
Ward said: ‘‘It's going to be really, really critical that we get everybody packing out the Aviva. It’s a Saturday three o’clock, everybody loves a Saturday three o’clock game. We had massive numbers for Belgium and we are going to need that again and more. It will be critical we get bums on seats and bodies in the ground and get some noise lifting the players, because we’ll be ready. If we can get that fanbase hopefully together, we can get the results we need.’’
I think the FAI are taking a gamble on playing the game in the Aviva. If the team had picked up a point or two in their first games the Aviva might get a decent crowd, but after that bad start I think Tallaght Stadium would be big enough next Saturday week.
