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Pauw sticks with familiar for World Cup qualifier in Finland

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw has stuck with the same starting XI that lined out against ...



Pauw sticks with familiar for...
Soccer

Pauw sticks with familiar for World Cup qualifier in Finland

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw has stuck with the same starting XI that lined out against Sweden for this afternoon's World Cup qualifier against Finland. 

The Girls in Green are in Helsinki to face a side eight places above them in the world rankings.

Katie McCabe will captain the side for a 29th consecutive game.

Ireland got their qualifying campaign underway with a 1-0 loss to word number two Sweden at Tallaght Stadium last week.

Despite the result, there were a number of aspects of the performance the manager was pleased with.

The Irish starting line-up at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium is:

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's game, which has a 4.15 pm kick-off, Ireland manager Pauw said she wants to see her side not only create more chances but also to capitalise upon them.

"Finland are a completely different team to Sweden, who we played last week, but there are some similarities. They are very strong, they are very much a Scandinavian team, so they have very fit players, very strong players, they play very direct and have a lot of pace.

"We know that we have do more in possession and to create chances. Everybody would have seen that we tried to do that against Sweden but they were a very strong opponent. In this game against Finland we might have more opportunities to use possession and to do more with it.

"This game against Finland is the game where we really have to show what we've learnt over the last half year. We are excited about the challenge, this is what elite international football is all about and we feel that we are ready for it."

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Finland Republic Of Ireland Vera Pauw World Cup Qualifier