Swedes wary of Megan Campbell's specialist throw-ins

THROW-IN SPECIALIST: Ireland are likely to call upon Campbell weaponry during Friday’s third qualifier of the campaign. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Megan Campbell won’t be the first throw-in specialist Sweden had to deal with.

And the encouraging news for Ireland ahead of Friday’s Euro qualifier at Lansdowne Road is that it proved effective for Iceland.

One such catapult from Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir in 2020 created the Icelandic equaliser that denied the Swedes victory in Reykjavik.

Ireland are likely to call upon Campbell weaponry during Friday’s third qualifier of the campaign.

It was from her throw-ins during last month’s opening qualifiers against France and England that Ireland caused most danger when chasing deficits.

“They made it a real fight by putting players up front and the throw-ins, which were spectacular,” admitted Euro-winning England boss Sarina Wiegman after withstanding the 50-yard scuds into their box to see out a 2-0 victory.

It remains to be seen whether Eileen Gleeson deploys Campbell as her starting left wing-back but regardless Sweden boss Peter Gerhardsson will be vigilant to the sideline punts.

“You never know if she starts or then comes in,” said the man in charge of the team that finished third at the last World Cup and Olympics.

“If Ireland are 1-0 up, maybe they bring her on (but) it’s not unusual.

“Iceland also have a player like that and they equalised against us with a long throw.” 

Similar to Ireland, the Swedes are winless from their opening pair of games but at least have the point they earned by holding England to a 1-1 draw at Wembley.

England and France are both leading the chase to claim the two direct qualifying places for next year’s finals in Switzerland and meet on Friday at St James’ Park.

Gerhardsson was at the helm when Ireland became the team to only team to extract points off them during an otherwise perfect World Cup qualifying campaign.

Katie McCabe’s deflected opener in Gothenburg two years ago brought Ireland to a broader audience and the Swede – who is without McCabe’s Arsenal teammate Stina Blackstenius to injury – feels the Girls in Green have improved since.

“Because every team in the lower ranking is getting closer and the games are harder, that’s fantastic for football,” he said about Ireland, situated 18 places behind the Swedes in 24th place.

“The unpredictability is what people love about women’s football. I think the Irish team is getting better.

“They have good players but also have coaches at their club teams. For me, it’s always the club coaches who develop players, it’s not me and I think that level is higher.

“If a player is at a good club with good coaches, that’s good for the national team - same with Ireland and Sweden.

“I would say that McCabe is one of my favourite players because she is typical of the way Ireland plays.

“She’s one of the best players in Arsenal and she plays with passion, strength and good technique.

“What I like is that she's a winner. You can say angry, but I like it. She couldn’t be in my team, so we have to handle that.” 

Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier: Ireland v Sweden, Lansdowne Road - Friday (7.30pm)