Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
In terms of drama and building an opportunity, two teams tied after a cautious first-leg draw, it couldn’t be better. Last Friday’s draw was a must-win game, so neither team ultimately insisted on winning.
Ireland and Wales have, to some extent, recognized that Friday’s match was nothing more than history: it is over and indeed we have a knockout match ahead of us at Dublin.
Ireland can claim to have an advantage with the second leg played where their “soul” lives: the Aviva Stadium in front of 25,000 Irish fans who will be loud and passionate. Wales, on the other hand, are happy to earn a draw at home after a performance they consider well below par.
Whether it was the event in Cardiff in front of a record crowd, Ireland’s more direct approach or even just old nerves that prevented Wales from executing their game plan, they have another chance.
And with a team now accustomed to loud, large crowds perhaps feeding off the Irish crowd positively, as Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson said, “noise is just noise. When you have big crowds, the noise is like a roar The problem is when you only have a few hundred and you hear everything they say to you!”
So where can both sides win this match? For Ireland, trust is not a problem. They feel they did the job they needed to do in the first leg and back in Dublin their strengths will dominate Wales.
Ireland captain Katie McCabe, by her own standards, had a quiet game in Cardiff and when asked if she needed to win the ball more in the second leg, her manager laughed and said ‘yes’ loud and clear.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Geraint Hughes analyzes Wales’ 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland in their crucial Euro 2025 play-off first leg at Cardiff City Stadium, saying it was the ‘game’ going into the next match at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday.
McCabe agreed and laughed knowing that in Dublin she can influence Ireland’s attempts to take over the match far more than she could last Friday. If it does and Wales cannot reduce its supply and cause runoff, then Ireland can damage Wales.
For Wales, you think it’s about overcoming frustrations from the first leg. Wilkinson has been in charge of the team for nine months now and the team has an identity and a way of playing.
Ruesha Littlejohn scored for the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff on Friday
Yes, they can fight, but their success is due to the calm, possession and passing teams. They did it once last Friday and it allowed Jess Fishlock to get behind the Irish defense and cross for Lily Woodham to head home. It was simple, elaborate football. But they only did it once. If they can get across Ireland, get behind them and they will pose a threat every time. It’s easier said than done, isn’t it?
A lot has been done around atmosphere in Cardiff and Dublin. Although last Friday’s record crowd for Wales Women was a sight and sound to behold, it was accompanied by some nervousness on the field.
In Dublin, nervousness may not be an option because someone has to win the game. Why leave anything there? Ireland will feed passionately on his support, but I’m not sure Wales will be too bothered, it might even focus their minds on their game plan.
Lily Woodham was also on the scoresheet for Wales
Wales will know that Ireland will face them with intensity at times and will be prepared as best they can, but it’s about taking advantage of that adversity and frustrating the opposition.
One final part of this Dublin drama though: the possibility of overtime and penalties. It could happen. Both teams are really well matched, each should have moments, so there is every chance that 90 minutes will end tied.
If we get that far, I’m not going to predict anything. The players will be exhausted, the crowd will be out of breath and luck will be looking for who will side with victory. One side will be in ecstasy, the other will be a truly horrible place for any athlete.
