A closer look at what Vera Pauw's side can expect in international friendly action on Wednesday.
The Republic of Ireland women’s national team are in Marbella, where they face their first First of many in this historic World Cup year.
Last time they found themselves in this part of Spain, Vera Pauw’s side ran out 4-0 winners against Morocco in November. This is a completely different story though, China ranked 14th in the Fifa Women’s World rankings — 62 places above Morocco, and nine superior to Ireland at their all-time high of 23rd.
World Cup runners-up in 1999, The Steel Roses last year won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the ninth time to qualify for this summer’s World Cup. While Ireland find themselves in Group B alongside Australia, Canada and Nigeria, China were drawn in Group D with England, Denmark and a inter-confederation play-off group winner in Chile, Senegal or Haiti.
A little context, perhaps. It’s fair to say the Swedes looked much-improved, dominating throughout and finding their 2019 World Cup and 2020 Olympic Games form. Her team-mate, Heather Payne, echoed those sentiments. “Personally, I have never played China before so that’s very exciting. We get these opportunities to play the bigger nations now we have qualified for the World Cup.
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