Opportunity knocks as Irish prepare for storm

UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-off second leg

Belgium v Republic of Ireland, Den Dreef Stadium, 7.30pm

And so it's on to the Flemish city of Leuven, where the Republic of Ireland are aiming to complete what would be their most significant triumph in quite a while.

Last Friday's 4-2 Nations League promotion/relegation play-off first-leg victory against Belgium at Aviva Stadium was a shot of adrenaline for a team that was struggling for lift-off under Carla Ward.

They finished second in their League B group due to a dreadful 4-0 loss in Slovenia last February, and though Ward steadied things to finish the campaign with five wins out of six, there was an unevenness about Ireland's performances.

A gruelling friendly double-header against the USA over the summer looked like more hassle than it was worth as players gasped for breath in brutal heat and humidity, and yet their performance four days ago suggested something has been brewing over the last few months.

Ireland clicked big time, and it was down to a few simple reasons.

Firstly, Ward picked the right team. There were no square pegs in round holes; she opted for a 3-5-2 and slotted everyone into positions they were comfortable with. Chloe Mustaki's selection at left centre-back was particularly important. She's left-footed, and offered natural balance while feeding Katie McCabe good early ball to allow her to play high.

Secondly, their shape was great. They moved up and down the field as one organism to ensure Belgium didn't really enjoy the luxury of space anywhere on the pitch. This wasn't a case of leaning back on the ropes and hitting the Red Flames on the break. There was a sophistication to the approach.

Thirdly, they worked really, really hard. Belgium boss Elisabet Gunnarsdottir admitted she was surprised by how well Ireland played, telling Ward afterwards it was one of the best Irish performances she'd seen. The foundation for that was Ireland's appetite for hard graft.

Tonight, they need to do it again.

Gunnarsdottir said "I didn't recognise my team" after their Lansdowne Road chastening. The big positive for them is that the deficit is only two goals.

The Red Flames will definitley fancy their chances of turning that around, and are very unlikely to be as lethargic as they were in Dublin.

There's around 6,000 tickets gone for this game at the 10,000-capacity Den Dreef Stadium. It's an attractive, compact ground capable of generating a good atmosphere.

England were beaten 3-2 here last April, and we know the Belgians have goals in them - chiefly through Tessa Wullaert, who pinched their first at the Aviva.

Crystal Palace midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet and Hoffenheim forward Jill Janssens are both back from suspension, while Zenia Mertens and Marie Detruyer - introduced at half-time in the first leg - will expect to start tonight. Detruyer was particularly impressive after coming on, guiding home Belgium's second goal with eight minutes left.

That strike really changed the vibe. For a few giddy minutes, it looked like Ireland might kick on and win 5-1. By the end, it could have ended 4-3, with Belgium stretching their tired hosts.

Therein lies the issue for Ward, who has no fresh injury concerns. Her preferred midfield combo of Denise O'Sullivan and Ruesha Littlejohn don't have a lot of football behind them this season - they were withdrawn on 75 and 60 and minutes respectively on Friday. Ireland's grip on the contest loosened when they departed, so the head coach needs to hatch a plan that ensures the team isn't vulnerable to a drop-off in the final quarter.

The other quandary for Ward centres around Anna Patten. The centre-half was suspended for the first leg, but she's available tonight, and "massively valuable" according to the boss.

It's difficult to see who would make way for Patten: Caitlin Hayes, Jessie Stapleton and Mustaki were all excellent the last day, though Ward did hint at one other possibility.

"I've played her (in midfield) before, haven't I, at (Aston Villa)?" she said of Patten. "You could put Pattsy anywhere. Towards the end of training yesterday, I saw her up top."

Maybe Patten could provide fresh legs as a defensive midfielder, with Littlejohn held back to close the game out. Or else Stapleton will step into the middle with Patten slotting into the defence. Either way, it seems unlikely there'll be many changes, even if Ward suggested they have "tweaks to make".

It's forecast to be rainy and cold on what will be a special night for captain Katie McCabe. She's set to win her 100th cap, and will - as always - be a crucial creative tool in the quest to kill this tie off.

Gunnarsdottir's charges may have goals in them, but they're leaky at the back too.

Expect a rollercoaster in Leuven - and, hopefully, Irish joy at the end of it.

Prediction: Belgium 2-2 Republic of Ireland

Predicted starting XI: Grace Moloney; Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes, Jessie Stapleton, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe (Capt); Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O'Sullivan, Marissa Sheva; Emily Murphy, Kyra Carusa

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