Curtin backs Ireland team on 'slow incline' to beat Finland

History beckons for an Ireland team on the cusp of qualifying for their first ever World Cup play-off as they welcome Finland to a sold-out Tallaght Stadium tonight.

Retired international Marie Curtin belives it has been a long route to this stage for Vera Pauw's team, but she expects them to get the job done, with the match live on RTÉ 2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ 2FM.

The Girls in Green need just three points to put their competitors Finland out of contention for the coveted second position in the group behind leaders Sweden.

A draw would mean that Ireland would have to better Finland's result in their last game which is at home to Sweden.

Ireland must travel to Slovakia for their final game of the group, so the Girls in Green are firmly in the driving seat.

Now, Ireland have to deal with the favourites tag. They already beat Finland away from home in October 2021 by two goals to one.

"I think that Vera manages expectation very well. Anytime you hear her speak, it's reflected well. She always speaks about the opposition well," said former Ireland international Curtin on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

"When one of her players is speaking ahead of the game they always respect the opposition. I always feel like there's a sense of managing expectations and knowing there is a tough job to be done."

Under Pauw's guidance Ireland have become a force in Europe, suffering just one defeat in their last nine games. That came at the Pinatar Cup against Russia.

"I feel like they have been in a slow incline since this group got together.

"There is some players who have been there a long time. Even back to when I was playing some of the young players then like Denise O'Sullivan, she's still with the group today.

"Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell, Louise Quinn,