Pauw: Training camp crucial to 'amazing' display

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw says the recent training camp in Turkey was crucial to laying the foundations for the 9-0 demolition of Georgia to maintain their push for a World Cup play-off spot.

There was little talk of a potential upset before the game – Ireland recorded a record 11-0 win over the same opposition last November and the Georgians have yet to score in qualifying after conceding 50 – as the visitors went about their business in a professional manner to record a record away win.

The comprehensive win in Gori moves Ireland into second place in Group A, a point ahead of Finland.

It means three points against Finland in September, their penultimate game, would be enough to see them claim a play-off place for next year's finals as they look to become the first Irish team to ever qualify for a major championships.

Four goals to the good at the break, Ireland pushed home their advantage with Katie McCabe claiming a hat-trick, one of six goalscorers on the night.

With set-piece delivery and accurate crossing central to so many of the goals at the Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium, Pauw says the 10-day camp was vital in nailing down their tactical approach given the early stage of the season.

"It was crucial," she told RTÉ Sport. "We worked a lot on set-pieces and keeping the pitch wide on both sides. We have done a lot on the crosses and winning the second balls.

"We can be even better, we can be sharper.

Vera Pauw pays tribute to her team after their 9-0 win over Georgia and calls on the fans to come out in force to Tallaght Stadium in September for crunch clash with Finland #rtesoccer Report: https://t.co/bnEg0VLnXV pic.twitter.com/cz1YwRcfwe

"We are in pre-season...it’s amazing that you can still score nine goals.