Upcoming 'must-not-lose' qualifiers present a different challenge for Vera Pauw and Ireland

BUMPY ROAD AHEAD: Ireland manager Vera Pauw says playing the lower seeds presents a new challenge for her side. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Vera Pauw claims Ireland’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against lower seeds will be tougher than last month’s meetings with the group’s two most esteemed nations.

Third seeds Ireland narrowly lost their campaign opener to the world’s second highest ranked team, Sweden, by an own-goal in Tallaght but won 2-1 in Helsinki against second seeds Finland.