30 mins ago
4:16PM
Hello, and welcome to our liveblog.
This evening’s game is arguably Ireland’s most important World Cup qualifier so far.
Carla Ward’s side suffered opening 2-1 defeats to France and the Netherlands.
Poland, though, are ostensibly the most beatable rival in the group, as they are the lowest-ranked opponent – Nina Patalon’s side are currently 24th, three places above the Girls in Green.
Only the group winners will qualify automatically, and Ireland are unlikely to achieve that feat on the back of two opening losses. However, even the difference between finishing third and fourth is significant, as the former provides a conceivably easier path towards 2027 World Cup qualification in the playoffs.
Ireland will also be determined to avoid Nations League relegation to League B, and to avoid that fate, they will surely need to pick at least one victory in their next two back-to-back fixtures against the Poles — the sides meet again at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off for today’s game is at 5pm.