Ireland Women’s National Team will head to Tallaght Stadium to take on Zambia in an International Friendly tonight.
The Thursday night encounter – which will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 – is the penultimate game for Vera Pauw’s on home soil before they depart for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Isibeal Atkinson comes into the squad, while Megan Campbell will not be involved as she continues with her return-to-play periodisation plan.
Speaking at the press conference on Wednesday, Vera Pauw said: “This will be our first home game in nine months, so we are looking forward to playing in front of our amazing fans again. All of the tickets are sold out so we would encourage everyone to turn up to Tallaght Stadium to cheer on the team in what is an important game for our preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We started our training camp on June 12 with a very detailed programme for our players to ensure their safety on returning to play from club action and holidays. Now, we must use this game to rise up to the challenge of one of Africa’s best teams.
All set for tomorrow ☘️ #COYGIG | #WeAreOne | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/ome3x1yUBw
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 21, 2023
“The reason we chose to play against Zambia is because we have Nigeria in our World Cup Group so we must be ready for that type of opponent. This game also adds to our preparation plan for the tournament and gives us an opportunity for players to get back onto the pitch again.”
This will be the first meeting of the two nations at Senior Women’s level Zambia are just the third African opponent that Ireland WNT will have faced following on from games against South Africa (Cyprus Cup) and Morocco (International Friendly)
There are 55 places between the two games in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings as Ireland are in 22nd place while Zambia are in 77th Zambia, just like Ireland, will be making their FIFA Women’s World Cup debut this summer.
Going to Tallaght Stadium tonight? 😀#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/WSS3Pv8des
— FAI Women (@FAIWomen) June 22, 2023
This game will be Vera Pauw’s 30th in charge of Ireland, since her appointment in September 2019.
This will be the first game included in the WNT Season Ticket Package, which was sold to over 1,200 fans.
IRELAND WNT SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Tara O'Hanlon (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Isibeal Atkinson (West Ham United), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC)
MATCH DETAILS
International Friendly
Ireland v Zambia
Thursday, June 22
Tallaght Stadium
KO 19:30
LIVE on RTÉ2
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Caroline Lanssens (Belgium)
Assistant Referee: Irmgard van Meirvenne (Belgium)
Assistant Referee: Melissa Leiear (Belgium)
Fourth Official: Jana van Laere (Belgium)
