European Final Play off
30.10.2008 at 18:10 - Laugardalsvöllur - Reykjavik - Iceland
Hopes have been raised that Thusrday’s Women's 2009 UEFA Championships play-off second leg between the Republic of Ireland and Iceland will be played at the Laugardalsvöllur Stadium.
Temperatures have moderated since Tuesday from minus five celsius to zero and but a final inspection will take place on Thursday morning to confirm whether the fixture goes ahead.
A team of 20 people were used by the Icelandic Football Association on Wednesday to work on the pitch, mainly removing the snow that had gathered over the previous 48 hours.
The appointed referee for the fixture, Christine Beck from Germany, held a preliminary pitch inspection this evening and observed that she would be hopeful of the surface being playable once the weather didn’t deteriorate overnight.
Republic of Ireland manager Noel King has carried on with his preparations as normal, focusing his players’ minds on the task of continuing the form they showed in Sunday’s first leg at Richmond Park, which finished 1-1.
“We are here to win the game and that aim hasn’t altered from our mindset,” said King.
“I know we are capable of getting the right result and Sunday’s match only confirmed that we are well able to compete against an established nation in Women’s football like Iceland.
“The pitch has considerably improved compared to the condition it was in on Tuesday. “We had planned to train on it tonight but, instead, walked it and held our training session on an Indoor pitch.
“I would like for the game to be go ahead but only if it doesn't pose a risk to players getting injured. We will wait to see what the referee says tomorrow."
King will name his starting team on Thursday morning.
Preparations may not have been ideal, as the Republic of Ireland had to stage their training sessions indoors during the week, but striker Stefanie Curtis has victory in her sights against Iceland this evening in the Women's 2009 UEFA Championships play-off second leg.
The first leg of the tie between the nations, played at Richmond Park last Sunday, finished 1-1. The consequence of the result is that Iceland have the advantage of the away goal heading into today’s return fixture.
Curtis, who scored Ireland’s equaliser on Sunday, believes the team contains enough attacking quality to break down the Iceland defence.
“We created plenty of chances in the first leg and we’d be optimistic about doing the same again this evening,” said the Bristol Academy player.
“There was a lot to learn from Sunday’s game; we know all about Iceland and how we can get at them. All we need to do is continue playing like we did in the second half of Sunday’s match and I think we’ll be fine.”
Ireland could make history by winning the tie, as they would become the first Irish Women’s team to qualify for a major tournament.
“We are all focussed on getting to the European Championships,” she said. “Every one of the players is taking responsibility for what we have to do in this match.
“A lot of the talk this week has been about the condition of the pitch but that hasn’t affected us. We have trained very well and now we have got into match-mode. I just can’t wait for the game to get going now.”
The appointed referee for today‘s game, Christine Beck from Germany, passed the pitch playable this morning subject to extra preparatory work being carried out on the surface throughout the day in the run-up to kick-off.
Republic of Ireland manager Noel King has made one change to his starting line-up from Sunday’s match, with Jemma O’Connor replacing Sonya Hughes in midfield.
*The game will be televised live on Eurosport (kick-off 6.10pm)
UEFA Women’s Championship – EURO 2009 Play-off
First leg
Sunday October 26
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Iceland
Second leg
Thursday October 30
Iceland v Republic of Ireland
Kick-off: 6.10pm.
Republic of Ireland team v Iceland (30 Oct):
Emma Byrne - Arsenal FC
Alisha Moran - Fulham
Niamh Fahey - Arsenal FC
Yvonne Treacy - Arsenal
Meabh De Burcha - Salthill Devon
Mary T McDonnell - Boston Renegades
Ciara Grant - Arsenal FC
Jemma O’Connor - Birmingham Ladies
Michele O’Brien - Jerseys Sky Blue
Aine O’Gorman - Stella Maris
Stefanie Curtis - Bristol Academy.
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