By Hannah Blackwell
Wales and the Republic of Ireland have created some friction to turn up the heat ahead of their Women’s Euros play-off final second leg in Dublin.
Tuesday’s Celtic derby will determine who secures a coveted spot at next summer’s Women’s European Championship finals.
But after a fiery 1-1 draw in Cardiff, tensions have been rising ahead of the return match.
Ireland’s Katie McCabe has suggested her team will be braced for further “cheap shots” from Wales, while Wales coach Rhian Wilkinson has turned the pressure back on the hosts.
The two sides, locked 1-1 after the first leg in Cardiff, are both vying for their first-ever Euros qualification.
The Aviva Stadium is set to host over 25,000 fans as the teams battle it out, with extra time and penalties in store if the deadlock persists.
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson tells players to prepare for ‘battle’ in Ireland in bid to make history https://t.co/qnQomsEdQd pic.twitter.com/BhdhNvf8kU
— WalesOnline (@WalesOnline) December 2, 2024
Ireland, as the seeded side, have the advantage of home support but also the weight of expectation.
Reflecting on the intensity of the first leg, McCabe, one of Ireland’s star players, criticised what she claimed were off-the-ball incidents from Wales.
“They were cheap shots more than anything,” she said.
“I don’t mind going toe-to-toe with someone in a tackle but ones off the ball I’m like, ‘Come on…’
“Look, whatever game they want to play, we’ll be prepared for it tomorrow. We know what we have to do tomorrow – what’s on the line and what’s at stake. We’ll be ready to leave it all out there.”
Wilkinson has focused on turning Ireland’s home-field advantage into potential pressure.
Speaking about the challenge, she emphasised the high stakes of such a decisive fixture.
“I think it’s beholden to the coach of the home nation to talk about the massive advantage of having a home crowd,” Wilkinson said in response to Ireland coach Eileen Gleeson’s suggestion that the hosts might be slight favorites.
“Equally, there is a huge pressure on you at home with a home crowd, just trying to get behind their team.
“And that is a pressure that’s on them. You love playing at home in front of your fans, but equally we’re excited to be here.
“This is a fabulous stadium. It will be a great team stepping out for Ireland, but the pressure will be on them. Which is always a good thing for me and our team.”
Wilkinson expects a fierce contest and is preparing her players for the possibility of extra time or penalties.
“We know Ireland in every way will be a battle,” she said.
“There’s nothing that will be given to us, and we will receive nothing for free. When you have opponents like that, you always have to prepare for more than 90 minutes, and potentially the eventuality of penalties.
“You have two equal teams, two teams that are so clear on their mandate of leaving football in a better place, and the legacy, to have that opportunity in two wonderful stadiums to battle it out for a chance to represent their country at a major tournament, what a moment.”
Ireland ’embrace and enjoy the pressure’ of Euro 2025 play-off final at the Aviva.
Meanwhile, Katie McCabe has highlighted ‘cheap shots’ ahead of tomorrow’s winner-takes-all showdown against Wales.https://t.co/AkYz15cmSj
— The42.ie Football (@football_ie) December 2, 2024
Meanwhile, Ireland manager Eileen Gleeson brushed off Wilkinson’s remarks, saying, “Respectfully, I don’t really care what Rhian is saying.
“To be honest, the only time that I hear what Rhian says is when I come in here (press conferences).
“I am not giving it any thought. Whatever Rhian wants to say is up to her. We are focusing on ourselves and what we have to do, that’s all I have to say.”
For Wales, captain Angharad James highlighted the historical significance of the match for her team and its broader impact.
“The group’s in a good place mentally, physically,” James said.
“It’s not just about the 23, 24 players that have traveled with us in the squad. This has been from players before us who have helped us get to this point, and we’re just the fortunate ones to be able to take the field and hopefully create history in Wales.”
She also acknowledged the magnitude of the moment, adding, “Whenever we pull on that red jersey, every game is just as important as any other, and that’s how we’ve tried to prepare for this game.”
Wales, yet to experience a major tournament, hope to follow the Republic of Ireland’s example.
The Irish made their global debut at last summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, signaling progress for the nation’s women’s football.
Now, both sides stand on the brink of another milestone in Dublin, with everything on the line.
Rhian Wilkinson And Angharad James Insist Wales Are Ready To Take Historic Step Forward
