Vera Pauw's first game in charge of the Republic of Ireland Women's team ended in a 3-2 win in front of a record crowd at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday night.
5, 328 spectators, including men's senior coach Mick McCarthy, saw the hosts go 2-0 up in the first half with goals from Captain Katie McCabe and Rianna Jarrett.
Two individual errors before half-time then saw it level at the break before an own goal by the visitors gifted the Girls in Green the lead in the 52nd minute and they held on for the three points.
FULL-TIME | #IRLWNT 3-2 Ukraine@verapauw guides her team to victory to remain second in Group I in front of 5️⃣,3️⃣2️⃣8️⃣ spectators
Next up is a trip to 🇬🇷 on November 12#COYGIG #WEURO2021 pic.twitter.com/nzAeS6Z6mA
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 8, 2019
Ireland now sit second in the group with two wins from two and play Greece away next month as the quest to make their first-ever senior major tournament continues.
Only top spot in the group is guaranteed to automatically qualify with the three best second-placed teams going through and then there's a play-off for the other three spots on offer.
With two-time World Cup winners and eight-time European champions Germany in Group I along with us, a best second-place finish is the realistic goal.
The German's have enjoyed one 10-0 win as well as two 8-0 hammerings and a 5-0 victory so far in their qualification campaign.
Manager Vera Pauw, who has been hailed for her attacking mindset and influence in her time so far with the team, was frustrated but relieved last night to get the win.
"We made it very difficult for ourselves.
"We were 2-0 up, we had the game in our pocket actually and because of two individual mistakes we suddenly are under huge pressure.
"So that third goal they had this absolute will to not give the win away.
"We had already prepared what we would do if the pressure would get too high so one shout was enough, they executed it, fantastic."
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