Promotion a matter of time as Ireland arrive in Albania

The Republic of Ireland squad arrived in Shkoder yesterday evening for a second Nations League meeting with Albania in five days.

Friday's home fixture went along expected lines. The 5-1 win has opened a five-point cushion at the top of Group B1.

Top spot and promotion to League A could be secured this Tuesday with two games to spare.

For that to transpire another Irish win over Albania needs to be coupled with a draw between Northern Ireland and Hungary in Seaview.

Located two hours north of Tirana, Shkoder is the fifth most populous city in Albania, and regarded as the traditional capital of the Northern region.

Temperatures hit the early thirties in the summer, and when match time arrives on Tuesday evening at 6pm local time [5pm in Ireland], it could hit 20 degrees.

The Albanian women's national team was only formed in 2011, two years after the inaugural playing of their Women's National Championship.

Ranked 72nd in the world, 48 places below the Republic of Ireland, they lie bottom of this Nations League group with a solitary point from three games.

There was a palpable sense of shock when Megi Doci's well taken goal cancelled out Katie McCabe's early opener at Tallaght Stadium, but the gulf in class between the sides became evident in the second half.

Tuesday's encounter will be played at the home of KF Vllaznia Shkoder, the Loro Borici stadium, located in the city centre.

Borici ( 1922-1984) is a legendary figure in Albanian football, playing in Italy, with Lazio, before successful spells with Vllaznia Shkoder and Partizani Tirana. He also captained and managed the national team.

The 16,000 capacity venue also staged Albania's Group opener with Hungary, a 1-1 draw. A crowd of 1,200 were attracted to that game, with something