Mannion and Ireland know complacency could be the killer in Belgium 

LOCKED IN: Republic of Ireland's Aoife Mannion at their team hotel ahead of the team's travel to Belgium for the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off second leg match against Belgium on Tuesday. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

From leftfield came a flurry of left-footed goals for Ireland on Friday. Tuesday’s task now is to stop Belgium gaining similar joy from their turn at home advantage.

Aoife Mannion hasn’t witnessed much joy since switching allegiance from England in 2023. Her plan to bounce into the World Cup was derailed by injury and a series of knocks since punctuated her cap county. The 4-2 first leg win over the Belgians marked the 17th appearance for the 30-year-old.

Bar that epic summer evening in 2024 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh when a French team already qualified for the Euros were serrated, highlights have been scarce.

Failing to follow up that jaunt to Australia by hurdling an easier path to this European Championship stung. Slipping up badly in Slovenia in February was another low. “Maybe this result will be a wake-up call,” she said after the 4-0 mauling in Koper.

Mannion’s role could be integral to Ireland emerging from Leuven tomorrow with a clearer view of reaching the next World Cup, to be hosted by Brazil in 2027.

A three-goal cushion shrunk to two with eight minutes left when Marie Detruyer tucked Belgium’s second in the bottom corner. That consolation may transpire to be a springboard for the Belgium side which their manager Elisabet Gunnarsdottir derided for being lacking in fundamental characteristics.

“I didn’t recognise my team – it is hard to see,” said the Icelander  “There was a lack of fighting spirit. In Ireland, we knew they were going to fight and we weren’t up to it.” 

Mannion, who transferred to Newcastle United from Manchester United over the summer, knows where Ireland can come unstuck in their bid for a return to League A.

“The biggest challenge when things are over two legs and you're going in with the lead is complacency,” she said. “It's also easier to be chasing something than defending.

“Sometimes it's probably harder, in a sense, knowing you have that buffer because you can take your foot off the pedal. And so Belgium have a free hit now. They have that easy mentality that they know they have to go after the game. They'll be bringing all the energy and we need to match that.” 

Carla Ward will have Anna Patten returning to boost that backline. Moreover, on Katie McCabe’s 100th cap and in her current form, Ireland have the artillery to pounce on the counterattack.

Her hat-trick goal was scratched into an own-goal by Uefa while Marissa Sheva struck a peach for her first goal in Dublin.

“Every single goal was scored with a left foot – between Kate’s three and Marissa,” noted Birmingham born Mannion. “Katie's world-class and she's won the Champions League with Arsenal last season.

“She carries a lot of expectations on her shoulders and is a very fitting captain in terms of performances. Sometimes people forget that and then you see what she can produce.

“Not many players can strike a ball like she did for the second goal. Even for myself in the game watching it, you're like: 'Oh my goodness, it's so hard to produce that level of quality.'” 

 Quality can be demonstrated by defending too. Conceding twice would normally be fatal at this top-tier level but Ireland did limit the volume of attempts on Grace Moloney, who will again deputise for the injured Courtney Brosnan in goal.

“Belgium have got great height in their team – something I only really noticed walking out of the tunnel on Friday,” Mannion surmised.

“We defended a lot of set-pieces but 90% of those are about delivery. With someone like Katie over the ball, you always give yourself a chance. So we’ve great threat in their box from the likes of Caitlin Hayes.”