The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team have accepted an invitation to take part in the Pinatar Cup in Murcia, Spain.
Vera Pauw's team will next be in competitive action on Tuesday, April 12th when they take on Sweden in the Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying.
Before then, however, they will take part in the eight-team Pinatar Cup in February with Belgium, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Scotland, Slovakia and Wales involved.
Soon time to bring the band back together ☘️🇮🇪 https://t.co/iIGaa11mm0
— Louise Quinn (@louise_quinn4) January 20, 2022
Ireland will play Poland in their first game on Wednesday, February 16th with the winner meeting either Hungary or Russia in a semi-final game on Saturday, February 19th.
The final game of the tournament will be played on Tuesday, February 22nd with Ireland's opponent dependent on how their semi-final ends. They could either be in the main tournament final or else in a tie for 3rd place, a duel for 5th place or a contest for 7th place.
There is an agreement in place that Ireland will not play Slovakia in the third game - if drawn together - due to being in the same World Cup Qualifying Group.
WNT Manager Vera Pauw has welcomed the opportunity for her players to test themselves against different opposition ahead of resuming their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying campaign, where they currently sit second in Group A.
When it's your Birthday 🎉
Hoping it's a good one for WNT Manager @verapauw pic.twitter.com/B4FNdAZdZM— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) January 18, 2022
"It is important that we get together as a squad and play at least one game before we take on Sweden in April. This tournament provides us with three games so that is ideal for our preparation to work with the players and give them game-time," said Pauw.
"Our focus is very much on the qualifying game against Sweden in April, but we plan on giving players opportunities to play in these games and that will help us in our overall preparations."
Broadcasting arrangements will be announced closer to the tournament getting underway.
CONFIRMED | WNT heading to Pinatar Cup🏆 in Spain
Vera Pauw's 🇮🇪 team will play three games in the tournament on February 16th, 19th & 22nd 👍
Full Details 👉 https://t.co/BQxjRIkPT5#COYGIG | #WeAreOne | #PinatarCup pic.twitter.com/l1ASgIPUK5
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) January 20, 2022
2022 PINATAR CUP
16 February
Match A1 | Wales v Scotland, Pinatar Arena, KO 15:30 (16:30 Irish Time)
Match A2 | Slovakia v Belgium, Pinatar Arena, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
Match B1 | Republic of Ireland v Poland, La Manga, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
Match B2 | Hungary v Russia, La Manga, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
19 February
A3 | Winner A1 v Winner A2, Pinatar Arena, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
A4 | Runner-up A2 v Runner-up A1, Pinatar Arena, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
B3 | Winner B2 v Winner B1, La Manga, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
B4 | Runner-up B2 v Runner-up B1, La Manga, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
22 February
Final | Winner A3 v Winner B3, Pinatar Arena, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
3rd Place | Runner-up A3 v Runner-up B3, La Manga, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
5th Place | Winner A4 v Winner B4, Pinatar Arena, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
7th Place | Runner-up A4 v Runner-up B4, La Manga, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
