Women's Euro 2021: Republic boss Pauw expects battle against 'best in the world' Germany
- Published
The Republic's last game was a win over Montenegro in March
Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw says her side face a tough challenge when they meet Germany in a Women's European Championship qualifier in September.
The Republic sit top of Group I with Germany a point behind having played one game fewer, so the result of their 19 September meeting will determine who takes charge of the group.
Having won four of their opening five matches, the Republic are in a strong position with three games remaining, two of which are against Germany.
"Germany at this moment are the best team in the world," said Pauw, who signed a new deal on Thursday that will see her remain as the Republic manager should they qualify for the finals in 2022.
"They were in a dip recently, they had a transition period but [German manager] Martina Voss has this team right on track again."
The Republic's other remaining match is away to Ukraine on 23 October, in which a win would guarantee Pauw's side at least a second place finish regardless of what happens in the Germany games.
The top three runners-up will join the nine group winners in automatically qualifying for the finals in England, which have been put back by a year as a result of the pandemic.
The remaining six second-placed teams will enter a play-off to compete for three spots.
"The key game is Ukraine, that is the game where we cannot lose," Pauw said.
"If we don't lose in Ukraine, we will proceed to at least the play-offs but any point we can steal from Germany will help us."
Molloy and Murphy named in squad for Germany game
Midfielders Alli Murphy and Ellen Molloy received their first international call-ups as Pauw named her squad for the Germany game on Friday.
Kilkenny's Molloy has been promoted from the under-17 panel while US-born Murphy, who qualifies for the Republic through her grandparents, has recently signed for London City Lionesses.
Both sides will go into the game in Essen undefeated in qualifying.
"We will travel to Germany knowing we will face a difficult opponent, but that is part of competing at this level," said Pauw.
"Germany are one of the best teams in world football and we've seen their club teams, particularly Wolfsburg, perform so well in the Women's Champions League of late.
"So we know what to expect and we have to be ready to play our best game."
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Marie Hourihan, Grace Moloney, Courtney Brosnan, Niamh Reid-Burke.
Defenders: Harriet Scott, Keeva Keenan, Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell, Claire O'Riordan, Claire Walsh, Aine O'Gorman, Isibeal Atkinson.
Midfielders: Niamh Fahey, Jamie Finn, Denise O'Sullivan, Alli Murphy, Niamh Farrelly, Megan Connolly, Hayley Nolan, Jessica Ziu, Ruesha Littlejohn, Ellen Molloy, Stephanie Roche.
Forwards: Katie McCabe, Heather Payne, Leanne Kiernan, Amber Barrett, Rianna Jarrett, Julie-Ann Russell, Kyra Carusa.