Arsenal utility player Katie McCabe and her Republic of Ireland teammates face one of the biggest matches in the nation’s history this afternoon when they take on Germany in Essen in their latest UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 qualifier.
The 24-year-old, who can play just about anywhere across the park, is likely to captain The Girls in Green at the Stadion Essen and will be deployed higher up the park than for her club.
Given the fact that Vera Pauw’s side have never qualified for a major tournament but currently top their qualification group, this afternoon’s fixture against former FIFA Women’s World Cup champions Germany holds major importance. Arsenal star McCabe will collect her 46th senior cap in Essen while she is currently her nation’s top scorer in qualifying with three goals. The player has been a driving force behind the Republic of Ireland’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 qualifying bid but this afternoon’s fixture is arguably the most testing of her international career so far.
The Germans have hit 29 goals in just four qualifying matches so far while they have a perfect record against the Republic of Ireland in their previous meetings. That being said, Germany have never disgraced the Republic of Ireland, although Pauw’s side will have to be at their very best to go one better and collect at least a point this afternoon.
Captain McCabe is one of 11 English-based players in the Republic of Ireland squad which has travelled to Essen while only six players have made more senior appearances for the nation than the Arsenal star.