Pauw confirms Stephanie Roche recalled to squad after Ireland win

After Ireland's 1-0 victory over Greece this evening at Tallaght Stadium, manager Vera Pauw confirmed that Stephanie Roche has been recalled to the squad.

Ireland beat the Greek side narrowly, with a first-half goal from Diane Caldwell this evening.

The win means that the Girls in Green leave for Montenegro next week in good shape to qualify for Euro 2021.

"We have called in Stephanie Roche," said Pauw following the victory, where Heather Payne was injured during the match.

On the match itself, Pauw was very impressed with what she saw.

"Defensively, we were so good. At the end, it was nerve-wracking because they were just putting players in and putting balls in high.

"But the two in the centre were like tigers, really!

"It is so nice, that is the joy of the whole team because we had been working so hard on that! We knew that the goalkeeper would stay, and Katie is brilliant putting those balls in.

"It is fantastic when that comes off."

Pauw was also respectful of a Greece side that she has previously identified as having a 'nasty' streak, but they proved very worthy opponents on the night.

"The quick players are very tough to play against; they have a good team organisation, but they smelled that they could get something out of this game as the game went on.

"At half time, we wanted to play a little bit more opportunistic, so more pressure on their goal - but if you don't score then you leave gaps and need to re-organise.

"At the end of the game, they were putting balls high into our box and they were defending very well."

It was a performance of quick feet and quick thought, with phases of play moving quickly from one end of the pitch to the other.

The match should provide positivity for the squad ahead of the trip to Montenegro and, should they qualify, Ireland will prove a team of great technical skill and prowess.