Ireland manager Vera Pauw believes Ireland have been handed a "very tough" World Cup play-off draw.
The head of the women's national team learned today that Ireland will face either Austria or Scotland in next months World Cup play-off.
Regardless of who Ireland face, the Girls in Green will have to travel having been drawn as the away side for the tie. Reacting to the news, Pauw spoke about how next months game will be difficult regardless of the opponent, while at the same time emphasizing how important it was to win the last two group games and skip the first play-off round.
"Well as you can see in the draw, we could have drawn Austria in the first round," Pauw told RTE Sport.
"Or Scotland, and that is what we are avoiding now."
"So, we are absolutely sure that it is in our hands to win that second round game, and that will be very tough."
"But what we have achieved with those two wins is that at least we have 90 minutes plus extra time to qualify."
Ireland's victories over Slovakia mean that they progress straight into the second round of the play-off. Because of Denise O'Sullivan's winning goal, Ireland are one win away from the next stage of the qualification process, while both Scotland and Austria are two wins away.
It will be the first time that Ireland have faced either country since Pauw became boss.
Ireland's last game against Scotland came in a 1-0 friendly defeat in 2017, while they lost 2-0 in their last clash with Austria in 2015.
Austria finished second in their group behind European champions England, while Scotland were runners-up to Spain.
However, even a win next month won't guarantee Ireland a place in next years World Cup. As a result of the convoluted nature of the play-off system, Pauw's side could still have to travel to New Zealand to play in a ten team intercontinental tournament with qualification on the line next February.
Three side's qualify from the play-offs, with the lowest world ranking country heading to the intercontinental tournament, while the other two would progress to the World Cup finals next year. Ireland are currently ranked 26th in the world, and will likely have to go through the tournament to reach the World Cup.
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