Cara Conboy, Columnist
After a tumultuous week, Irish eyes will turn to Astana at noon today as the Girls in Green look to take another step forward in their quest to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ireland have undertaken a journey of more than 5,000km to the Kazakhstan capital for the first leg before the sides meet again at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday, with Carla Ward’s side entering the tie as overwhelming favourites.
The Girls in Green earned their spot in the play-off semi-finals due to their performance in the Nations League, but a third-place finish in a difficult group containing European powerhouses France and the Netherlands ensured Ireland had a seeded draw.
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Let the games begin…
Ireland impressed throughout the qualifying campaign. Two victories over potential final-round opponents Poland, along with a famous win over the Netherlands in Cork, helped build belief that this side can go toe-to-toe with elite international opposition.
Few expected Ireland to challenge for automatic qualification when the group was drawn, yet they entered the final matchday with a genuine chance of reaching the World Cup directly. After making their World Cup debut in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, Ireland are now aiming to establish themselves as regulars on the global stage.
Ward faces some selection headaches going into the first leg. Key players Katie McCabe, Denise O’Sullivan and Marissa Sheva will miss out but the suspended McCabe has travelled to support her teammates.
Ireland are also without Saoirse Noonan, Tara O’Hanlon and Ruesha Littlejohn. Noonan and O’Hanlon miss out through injury, while Littlejohn remains without a club following her departure from Crystal Palace at the end of last season. Her lack of game time has also seen her omitted from the squad.
One of the biggest surprises from Carla Ward’s squad announcement was the inclusion of Shanade Hopcroft. The 29-year-old midfielder has received her first senior international call-up after qualifying to represent Ireland through her Irish grandmother. Previously on the books at Chelsea, Hopcroft recently returned to newly promoted WSL side Crystal Palace, where she has quickly established herself as a regular in midfield. Her experience could make her a candidate to start in Astana, particularly with O’Sullivan unavailable and Littlejohn not part of the squad.
Kazakhstan enter the tie after finishing second in a qualifying group containing Belarus and Armenia, recording two wins, one draw and one defeat. Ranked 98th in the FIFA rankings, Kazakhstan were arguably the most favourable opponent Ireland could have drawn. That, however, does not mean they can be taken lightly.
The long journey to Astana will test Ireland’s recovery, while Kazakhstan’s relative unfamiliarity could present another challenge. Kazakhstan are targeting their first major women’s tournament appearance since 1999 and will see this tie as an opportunity to produce a major upset.
After the first leg in Astana, Ireland will return to Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the decisive second leg. Poland or Belgium await the aggregate winners, with Ireland having beaten both sides in recent years.
For now, Ireland’s immediate task is clear: navigate the trip to Astana, take control of the tie and return to Cork with their World Cup hopes firmly in their own hands.
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