Belgium meeting another step along Ziu's comeback trail 

Republic of Ireland's Jess Ziu. Pic: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Don’t be surprised if Jess Ziu’s eyes rise to heaven when there’s mention of Down Under.

Two anterior cruciate ligament injuries sustained by the age of 22 – on either knee – was misfortunate enough but Australia became the unwanted connection.

“Any time that Australia is in the picture, I think I am going to stop playing,” says the Ireland winger with a wry smile.

“My first injury was with West Ham in 2022 when we were about to qualify for the World Cup in Australia and it happened on the other knee last year against Bristol City – just before our pre-season trip to Oz.” 

It was to Bristol City that her club, West Ham, recently sent Ziu on loan for games on her way to match fitness.

There’s an international career to restart too. The last of her 18 caps came at Pairc Uí Chaoimh in Ireland’s famous Euro qualification win over France in July 2024.

Friday offers a comeback trail to another tournament, the 2027 World Cup, as beating Belgium over two legs enhances their chances of reaching Brazil either through the regulation qualifiers or playoffs.

Ziu’s guile and pace have been missed during Carla Ward’s reign this year, and those tracts of grass at Lansdowne Road could do with her attacking in the first leg (7pm).

“An ACL injury is one of the most horrific in women’s sport,” explained the Dubliner.

“To do the second one, with just eight or nine months in between, isn’t what anyone ever wants.

“But I have a great support team around me. The first one made me really resilient and, for the second, I just got on with it, even if it was harder.

“For the first, because I live and breathe football, I was at the training ground every single day.

“Then I tried to be more social, go out with the girls and head home to my family. I learnt there is more to life than just football. I knew how to enjoy my life the second time around. That helped me cope, mentally.” 

One of those friends is Amber Tysiak, who she could come directly into combat with against Belgium.

“We’re really close,” she said of her Hammers teammate. “I still have my room in the house in London and I'll drop by every now and then when I’m back from Bristol.

“She's sent a few messages about a jersey swap after the game but she’s given me a bit of slack about some of our performances in the past.

“We can stand up to Belgium - player for player.”