Vera Pauw’s side are searching for their first win of the qualifiers after their first game ended in a slim defeat to World number two Sweden, who benefitted from a Louise Quinn own-goal.

The hosts have won both of their games in Group A, including a 3-0 win in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Thursday evening.

Finland currently have five players with at least a goal and will bring their attacking intent into their match with the Republic of Ireland.

Vera Pauw has named an unchanged side for the match held in the Finnish capital and will hope to steer her side to a second win in three games.

Aine O’Gorman will earn her 110th cap for the national side while Player of the Match against Sweden Courtney Brosnan will remain between the sticks.

The team lined up in a 5-4-1 formation against Sweden in Tallaght Stadium and it is expected that the unchanged side will not play in a different setup against the Finnish.

Jamie Finn and Aine O’Gorman will occupy the wing-back positions and will offer extra width in attack and defensive cover when Ireland are not in possession of the ball.

Louise Quinn will be at the heart of the defence with Niamh Fahey and Savannah McCarthy on either side of her.

Captain Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Connolly will occupy the midfield while Lucy Quinn and Katie McCabe will aim to provide support for Heather Payne who starts up front for Ireland.

Leanne Kiernan, Amber Barrett and Ciara Grant are among those who take their place on the bench.

Anna Signuel’s side, on the other hand, will be playing for a third win in a row and will aim to continue to put pressure on the Swedes.

The Finland head coach has made four changes to the side that dispatched of Georgia away from home.

Tuija Hyyrynen, Ria Oling, Natalia Kuikka and Sansi Franssi come into the side that is captained by goalkeeper Tinja Rikka-Korpela.

The team’s top scorer Linda Sallstrom also appears in the starting eleven for the side eight places above Ireland in the World rankings.

Teams

Finland (4-4-2): 23 Tinja-Riikka Korpela (C) 3 Tuija Hyyrynen 4 Ria Öling 5 Emma Koivisto 7 Adelina Engman 10 Emmi Alanen 15 Natalia Kuikka 16 Anna Westerlund 17 Sanni Franssi 18 Linda Sällström 20 Eveliina Summanen.

Subs: 1 Paula Myllyoja 12 Anna Tamminen 2 Elli Pikkujämsä 6 Anna Auvinen 8 Olga Ahtinen 9 Juliette Kemppi 11 Nora Heroum 13 Amanda Rantanen 14 Julia Tunturi 19 Essi Sainio 21 Eva Nyström 22 Jutta Rantala.

Republic of Ireland (5-4-1): Brosnan; Finn, Fahey, Louise Quinn, McCarthy, O’Gorman; Lucy Quinn, O’Sullivan, Connolly, McCabe; Payne.

Subs: Moloney, Badana, Walsh, Caldwell, Kiernan, Barrett, Jarrett, Farrelly, Grant, Noonan, Clancy, McLaughlin.

Where To Watch

The match will kick-off at 4:15 pm Irish time and will be available to watch on RTÉ 2 and on the RTÉ Player.

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A crowd of 3,314 were present on the night to help Pauw’s women end a seven-game skid with a strong win over the side that finished fourth at this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

It was the seventh time out of the 23 games the women’s national side has played in Tallaght Stadium that there were over 3,000 supporters in attendance – the fixture against Australia adhered to Covid restrictions.

Ireland WNT Manager Vera Pauw wanted to thank the fans for their incredible support.

“I’ve always said it, from the first moment that I came here, that our fans are truly unbelievable. From when they arrive into the Stadium right the way until the very end, they are cheering us on and that makes such a difference as it helps to inspire our players.

“It was far too long not playing in front of our fans, even though we all appreciate and respect the effects of COVID-19. But on Tuesday, it was like they had never been away. There was an electric feeling around the place and the fans never got tired and never stopped supporting us.

“From myself, the players & the backroom staff, we want to thank everyone who came out to support us. They made a big impact and reminded us that football needs to be played in front of fans because the game belongs to us all.

“We are delighted with our performance and result against Australia, but now we turn our attention to the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers – starting at home, in Tallaght Stadium, against Sweden on October 21st. I really hope that we can get as many fans as possible into the Stadium for that game because it will be one of the biggest games in the history of the Ireland Women’s Team.

“We would also like to thank Sky Ireland, who enjoyed their first game as our primary partner. We are excited to work closely with them. And we also issue a special thanks to the media who continue to cover our team and help to raise the profile of women’s football as a result.

“For our fans, we never take their support for granted and it fills us with great pride when we can show our appreciation by signing autographs or taking selfies after the game. We have built a great connection together and we are already looking forward to the Sweden game and seeing our fans again.”

Ticket news will be announced soon for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Sweden on Thursday, October 21st.

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The Matildas played their first game since competing in the Olympics against a side 22 places below them in the world rankings but could not break the blossoming losing streak they currently hold.

It is Ireland’s biggest win over a higher-ranked opponent in over two decades and they set off to achieve it straight away with Amber Barrett unleashing a stinging shot inside two minutes.

Australia barely had a chance to catch their breath when debutant Lucy Quinn curled a powerful free-kick at goal, which struck the post and rebounded in off goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

The game was back and forth in many ways but Ireland were never outclassed by a team led by star striker Sam Kerr, who was making her 100th appearance for her national side.

Mary Fowler twice got the visitors back into the contest, albeit with a bit of luck, but Ireland also profited when a strike from Denise O’Sullivan was deflected in.

At the end of a thrilling first half, it was 2-2 but Ireland will have felt that they were slightly on top. And they continued to play with confidence in the second period.

Louise Quinn powered in a header early in that half to reassert a lead that they would not surrender as Pauw’s team showed how recent performances against top-quality opponents stood to them.

Ireland, who were roared on by a vocal crowd, finished the game by battling for every ball and proving that they belonged in competition against such a good team.

Next up is their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, starting at home to Sweden on October 21st.

Republic of Ireland: Brosnan; Fahey, Louise Quinn, McCarthy; O’Gorman, McCabe; Finn (Caldwell 90), O’Sullivan, Barrett (Farrelly, 60); Payne (Kiernan 90), Lucy Quinn (Whelan 72).

Australia: Arnold (Williams HT); Polkinghorne, Kennedy (Checker HT), Nevin (Beard 68); Yallop (Gant 68), Logarzo (Wheeler 53), Cooney-Cross, Catley; Gielnick, Kerr, Fowler.

Referee: Paula Brady (Ireland).

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