Carla Ward finally gets a grip on Ireland's strengths as World Cup qualifiers loom

"I think since Carla's come in, she's come into our team, our culture, we've wanted to understand what she wants to do and she wants to understand what playing for Ireland is all about," said Katie McCabe.

THUMBS UP: Carla Ward after the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off second leg match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

It had been 24 years until Tuesday since Ireland celebrated a defeat as if it was a win.

That’s natural when the golden path to World Cup qualification emerges into sharper focus.

As Mick McCarthy and his male players did in Tehran in 2001 after a loss, Carla Ward and her crew were entitled to blare celebratory music from their dressing-room in Leuven.

Ward’s final act before departing the press conference room was clearing the fridge of the Stella Artois bottles crafted in the nearby brewery for her staff.

One more friendly to conclude the manager’s first year looms, an away assignment in November, before they face into the regulation qualifiers between February and June.

It might be difficult to countenance how jubilation erupts when the prize on Tuesday’s draw is a potential group of death against World champions Spain and back-to-back Euro winners England but all associated with promotion to League A agreed it as the favourable route. There is also the parachute of a playoff route to Brazil, irrespective of results.

Last time Ireland entered exalted company in 2024, they suffered five defeats in a row to France, England and Sweden.

Only the final flourish at Pairc Uí Chaoimh, a 3-1 win over a French side distracted by hosting the Paris Olympics, retrieved joy.

More worryingly, the logic of facing higher seeded opposition conditioning Ireland for lesser calibre in the playoff disintegrated when Wales emerged from the shootout for a Euros place.

“When you're playing against higher stronger nations, they're going to test you and stretch you,” said captain Katie McCabe, digesting the 5-4 aggregate victory over Belgium, sealed by Abbie Larkin’s last-minute winner.

“It's about understanding our strengths as a team, making sure we're nailing what we're good at but also improving off the ball.

“I think for so long, there's been talk of us not being good enough on the ball going forward.

“I hope we've shown the fans and people watching a better showcase of that. It's something we're constantly wanting to improve.”

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward celebrates. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

McCabe’s heroics in last Friday’s 4-2 win, two goals and another chalked off as an own-goal by finicky Uefa, provided Ireland the platform to complete the mission in the Lowlands.

Despite losing their buffer, the first of Tessa Wullaert’s brace being attributable to McCabe being caught out of position, Ireland were well in the game.

The second half began on an even keel and with Anna Patten being introduced in an unorthodox midfield role to curb the hosts’ threat, Ireland were fully deserving of their triumph based on the chance count.

“I’m disappointed, empty and confused,” sighed manager Elisabet Gunnarsdottir after watching her Red Flames being extinguished, making Ireland the only team in Nations League history to beat a League A nation in a playoff.

“How can we be so good for 45 minutes and then lose control and composure after a 15-minute break? I cannot explain the loss of feeling in the second half.”

It could be explained by Ward finally getting a grip on her squad’s strengths.

Larkin wasn’t used on Friday but formed part of the contingency to use her athleticism and pace to create carnage as a substitute.

Kyra Carusa, as the sole striker, became the focal point, while McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan grew into the game to dominate. Grace Moloney became Grace under fire for being, again, lobbed by Wullaert but Courtney Brosnan will return from injury to reclaim the goalkeeping spot.

"I think since Carla's come in, she's come into our team, our culture, we've wanted to understand what she wants to do and she wants to understand what playing for Ireland is all about," said McCabe of ex-Aston Villa boss Ward, whose first window ended in a 4-0 hammering by Slovenia.

"I think one of the strengths of her as a manager is how open she is. She's not afraid to reflect and come away from looking at games and saying she got it wrong at times.

"Especially in that Nations League, I think we could have maybe been better as a team in terms of possession and going into games. She's not afraid to reflect and look back and tweak a few things.

"We all want to play pretty football and win games and score pretty goals, but it's just not like that sometimes. Sometimes the game is there for something else and we roll our sleeves up and have to fight for every inch."

Draw explainer

Ireland will be among the top tier of 16 European nations for the World Cup qualification draw but in the lowest of four pots.

Six matches will be contested over three double-headers from February 26-March 7, April 9-18 and June 3-9.

The European qualifiers are played in the same format as the Uefa Women's Nations League, with teams split into three leagues: League A with 16 teams, League B with 16 teams and League C with 20 teams The only teams assured of direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil are the winners of the four League A pools.

The seven other guaranteed berths will be claimed by teams who emerge through the playoffs. Another is on offer via the inter confederation mini-tournament.

16 teams in League A for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifying draw

France, Germany, Spain, Sweden

Netherlands, England, Italy, Norway

Denmark, Austria, Poland, Iceland

Slovenia, Serbia, Ukraine, Ireland.