Katie McCabe: 'We need to see out games better - that is lesson from France game'

LEADER: Ireland captain Katie McCabe celebrates her goal against France, in a 2-1 loss. Pic: Niall Carson/PA

Ireland’s players have banned talk of their heroic scoreless draw against then 2017 Women’s Euro champions Netherlands ahead of Saturday’s rematch.

Colin Bell was in charge and Katie McCabe the captain when the Irish frustrated the boisterous 12,000-capacity crowd in Nijmegen on the Dutch homecoming.

Nine years later and some of the players return to the Lowlands, this time Utrecht, for another World Cup qualifier.

Despite leading the group’s top seeds France until the 71st minute in Tuesday’s opener at Tallaght, Ireland ended up with nothing. Between substitute Melvine Malard of Manchester United burying a seven minute brace and Denise O’Sullivan having her last-gasp shot headed off the line, Ireland lost 2-1.

McCabe’s former Arsenal teammate Vivianne Miedema will lead out a Dutch side disappointed to have been held 2-2 by Poland in their League A opener.

“No, no,” Ward emphasises about channelling that backs to the wall display of old.

“Our players wouldn’t even talk about the last win over France (in Pairc Uí Chaoimh) before Tuesday.

“They’re getting fed up with everyone talking about it.

“They want to talk about this new era so there’s no talk about what happened before.”

Carla Ward has banned talk of past triumphs as she tries to build something special with her current crop. Pic: Niall Carson/PA

Ward will soon discover whether O’Sullivan shakes off a knee injury to face the Dutch – now managed by Arjan Veurink.

He was the former assistant to England boss Sarina Wiegman, whose victory in charge of her homeland triggered three-in-a-row of Euro titles.

“The main improvement from the France game is putting the ball in the back of the net,” said Ward.

“If you remember my first press conference, the one thing I said is that I like to be exciting. I think we’ve shown that and it will be the same on Saturday.” 

McCabe’s 32nd international goal opened the scoring at Tallaght but her frustration at allowing the game slip from their grasp was apparent.

A third place finish in the group generates a smoother playoff path than fourth to the finals in Brazil next year. Ireland are already playing catch-up on a Polish side spearheaded by Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor.

“We need to be making sure we can see games out a little bit better,” said the 30-year-old, due to be at a new club next season after her Arsenal contract expires.

“That was the big lesson for us from Tuesday. France were vulnerable in some areas and I think we highlighted that with the goal but look ultimately it doesn't mean an awful lot right now.

“It is a defeat. We didn't get any points. That's what it's all about.

“We’re sitting bottom at the minute, we’ve to climb the table and there's a long way to go.

“There's five more games so we can't feel sorry for ourselves. We need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off.

“I know this team and know this mentality we have in the team. We've got every belief that we can go again.”