Republic Of Ireland Gear Up For Huge World Cup Qualifier

Vera Pauw's side are away to Finland.

Republic of Ireland forward Lucy Quinn says she feels like she's 'finally home'.

The 28-year-old is part of Vera Pauw's squad for this afternoon's World Cup qualifier away to Finland. 

Quinn made her Irish debut against Australia in September, and followed that up with a start against Sweden last week. 

She says it has been a great experience.

Kick off in Helsinki is at a quarter past four. 

Elsewhere, Northern Ireland host Austria at Seaview from 7pm.

Vera Pauw's team narrowly lost 1-0 to top seeds Sweden last Thursday but will be hoping to collect their first points of the campaign on Tuesday evening.

TEAM NEWS

All players are fit and available for selection.

QUOTES

Here's the view from Republic of Ireland Manager Vera Pauw:

"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."

 

SQUAD LISTS

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad

Goalkeepers: Grace Moloney (Reading), Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)

Defenders: Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United).

Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford Youths), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State University), Katie McCabe (Arsenal).

Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Rianna Jarrett (London City Lionesses), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City) .
 
Finland

Goalkeepers: Tinja-Riikka Korpela (Tottenham Hotspur), Anna Tamminen  (Hammarby), Paula Myllyoja  (Espanyol)

Defenders: Natalia Kuikka (Portland Thorns) Anna Westerlund (Åland United), Anna Auvinen (Sampdoria), Elli Pikkujämsä (Örebro), Eva Nyström (Hammarby), Emma Koivisto (Brighton & Hove Albion), Tuija Hyyrynen (Juventus)

Midfielders: Nora Heroum (Lazio), Eveliina Summanen (Kristianstads DFF), Emmi Alanen (Växjö DFF), Ria Öling  (FC Rosengård), Olga Ahtinen (Linköpings FC), Essi Sainio (HJK), Julia Tunturi (Vittsjö GIK), Adelina Engman (Växjö DFF), Iina Salmi (Valencia)

Forwards: Juliette Kemppi (Växjö DFF), Jutta Rantala (Kristianstads DFF), Sanni Franssi (Real Sociedad), Amanda Rantanen (Örebro), Linda Sällström (HJK), Jenny Danielsson (AIK).

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