It’s over to Stockholm for Sweden versus the Republic of Ireland Part 2 in the Euro 2025 qualifiers.
The Girls in Green took some positives from last Friday night’s 3-0 defeat to the world No 6-ranked Swedes at the Aviva Stadium – chiefly the quality of the chances they made.
Eileen Gleeson started with two up top for the first time this year and that all-action pair of Amber Barrett and Kyra Carusa took the visitors by surprise in an aggressive, high-pressing opening half.
Lily Agg should have put Ireland ahead when she snatched at a glorious opportunity, while Barrett’s headed effort to equalise lacked composure and belief. The Donegal striker was honest enough afterwards to assess: “If we want to be considered a League A team we need to be taking chances against League A teams.”
She is, unquestionably, correct.
Ireland have lost alll three qualifiers and have yet to score but it would be unfair to say they are regressing. The Girls in Green are simply coming up against the best of the best; a trio of super sides.
France, England and Sweden are all ranked inside the world’s top six and not only routinely qualify for major tournaments; once they get there, they’re usually in the mix come the business end of the knockout stages.
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While Agg and Barrett squandered big opportunties, Fridalina Rolfo – who won her second Champions League with Barcelona a few weeks ago – underscored the difference in class with a beautifully taken effort.
The excellent Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, a two-time Women’s Super League title winner with Chelsea, chipped in with a brace and was a danger all night as the Swedes comfortably coped with the absence of star striker Stina Blackstenius.
For Ireland, finishing in the top two of this incredibly difficult group was always going to be a massive ask.
They have a place in the play-off semi-finals banked thanks to their successful UEFA Nations League campaign before Christmas, so this winless streak isn’t overly damaging, albeit finishing bottom of the group would mean a swift return to League B of the Nations League next year.
There’s also ramifications in terms of the seeding for the autumn’s play-offs, with every point accrued, and every goal scored/conceded, potentially impacting where Ireland are placed when the draw is made. A couple of positive results from their last three qualifiers could make a significant difference with regards to the calibre of opponent Ireland face in October and November.
So what can we expect tonight?
There will likely be changes after such a physically demanding contest four days ago. Denise O’Sullivan (knee) remains out but any worries over Katie McCabe were eased by Gleeson on Monday, while Ruesha Littlejohn is in contention to feature having missed Friday’s game with an ankle problem.
McCabe was clutching the back of her leg towards the end of Froday’s match. That, Gleeson insisted, was merely fatigue after a gruelling period which has seen the Arsenal star fly to Australia and back to take part in an end-of-season friendly against the A-League All Stars.
“She’s fit to play,” Gleeson told RTÉ Sport’s Tony O’Donoghue. “What you’re seeing is fatigue. The trip to Australia is only a singular factor. You’ve got a long season, (she went) straight from the World Cup back into the WSL season Champions League, Nations League, Euro qualifiers and then the trip to Australia.
“You’ve got quite a heavy schedule so you’re seeing the natural output of that.”
There’ll be over 20,000 fans at the impressive Friends Arena for this one. Two weeks ago, Taylor Swift played three nights at the venue, with 178,000 delirious Swifties belting out the hits.
Will Ireland take the lessons of their defeat and shake it off? Or will this be the start of a cruel summer?
Sweden boss Peter Gerhardsson likes Ireland’s style and is taking nothing for granted.
Kyra Carusa is hoping the power of positive thinking can help the Republic of Ireland to shock Sweden tomorrow night – @Corktod reports from Stockholm #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/ghEmB8nR1x
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 3, 2024
“We had respect for the Irish team before and we have respect for the Irish team now,” he said.
“They created big chances (on Friday). The first goal is very important. We remember when we played them at home the last time. It was 1-0 to Ireland through McCabe and we had to strike for the equaliser. We have respect and we have to have a very good game.”
Two years ago Ireland came to Sweden and nicked a memorable 1-1 draw that truly sparked belief they could qualify for the World Cup. So much water has passed under the bridge since that evening in Gothenburg, but the Girls in Green will take a little inspiration from the fact they’ve previously got under their illustrious opponents’ skin.
Gerhardsson’s right – the first goal is critical. If Ireland get it, they are resolute enough to, at the very least, make things awkward for the Swedes. If the home side get the breakthrough, then it’s difficult to Gleeson’s committed but creatively quite limited charges turning things around.
Another huge challenge awaits.
Prediction: Sweden 2-0 Republic of Ireland
Watch Republic of Ireland v England in Euro 2025 qualifying on Tuesday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on 2fm’s Game On
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