DRAW RULES ANNOY VERA
BY MARK MCCADDEN VERA PAUW reckons Ireland were the victims of their own success in the World Cup play-off draw.
The Girls in Green were one of the three best runners-up in qualifying and as a result were handed a bye to the final round of the European play-offs.
However, it was decided that the draw would be an open one and Pauw’s squad were handed an away tie against the winners of Scotland and Austria.
Asked if the three seeded teams ended up at a disadvantage, she said: “That is how we feel. We feel we have the disadvantage of being better.
“Also revenue-wise, we miss the revenue of home games.”
If the Scots prevail against Austria, they will have two home games at Hampden Park to secure a ticket either to the finals or next February’s intercontinental play-off tournament.
“Let’s say Scotland win, they have two home games with all the revenues, with the advantage of playing at home two times,” said Pauw (above).
“I would rather have played at home two times, having Bosnia and the second game at home also.
“And we have the better coefficient. I don’t think they will ever do this again.
“It’s the same for the game between Portugal and Belgium (with the winners to face Iceland). Portugal could play twice at home. We deal with it, we take it game by game and we just see whoever is next. But I don’t think they will ever do this again.
“I am not the only one – every single country is complaining about it.”
Despite having to travel for such a crucial match, Pauw remains confident that Ireland can finish the job on October 11.
“It’s a final and like we played against Sweden away, like we played Finland away, like we played Finland at home, there is no difference in our preparation or in how we feel,” she said.
“But I’m talking here about fair competition. For us it doesn’t make any difference if we play at home or away in our performance. I hope you see that.
“We play the same way, we step up every game, it’s a bit better, it’s more mature, more related to elite football, we get a bit more space, show a bit more guts, because the tasks are connected better.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s at home in a full stadium or away in a full stadium. We have to play again the best game of our lives, so even better than we did before to have a chance.”