The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team continue their preparations for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 with an International Friendly against China PR at lunchtime today with the game being televised live on the RTÉ News Channel.
China are the AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners and are currently 14th in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, seven places above Vera Pauw’s side.
This will be the first meeting of the two teams as they both conclude 10-day training camps in Marbella.
China will play against England, Denmark and Haitit, who qualified from the World Cup playoffs this morning at the World Cup Finals in July and August, while the Republic of Ireland will face Australia, Canada and Nigeria.
Today’s game could prove an opportunity for newly minted squad players Aoife Mannion, Deborah-Anne De La Harpe and Marissa Sheva to make an impression having each received FIFA International Clearance.
“All of our players are fit and ready for this game after a really good week of training,” said Manager Vera Pauw.
“We also had a tough game against Germany behind closed doors, which allowed us to use 26 of the 27 players here in camp with us and that was a very good exercise for us.”
“We expect a very tough game against China. We expect them to put us under pressure, which is why we have chosen to play against this type of opponent. It is also an opportunity for us to make the next step in our attacking play.”
The Irish team will wear purple wristbands today in support of the Canada team who are battling the national federation for the same level of pay equality achieved here two years ago.
