Vera Pauw says there is no time for women’s football to rest on its laurels - in the wake of Wednesday’s record-breaking attendance between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Their Champions League clash drew 91,553 to the Nou Camp, beating the previous record of 90,185 for the 1999 World Cup final between USA and China at the Rose Bowl.
Pauw, who was at that game nearly 23 years ago, wants Wednesday’s game to be a catalyst for the further development of women’s football.
“I was there [at the Rose Bowl] as Technical Observer for FIFA,” she said, as she named her squad for the World Cup qualifier away to Sweden on April 12.
“I remember the pride that I felt when people were standing in lines trying to get into the stadium, trying to get tickets.
“Tickets that were sold for five times the price, everyone was begging for tickets to get into that stadium and I felt so proud.
“Opening up the Nou Camp was enough to get these tickets sold because there wasn’t even a huge campaign.
“They just said Barcelona-Real Madrid is a quarterfinal, we’ll play it in Nou Camp.
“Within days, there were already 80,000 tickets sold and then there was a rush for the last few.
“So the fact that back in 1999, there was a huge campaign of at least a year building up to [the World Cup], but now it was just announced, and the stadium was full.
“That shows how attractive women’s football is to watch, but also it has a huge future to develop further.
“I want to repeat it’s fantastic at that level and we’re all very proud of that but let's now step in and make sure the second level can cope with getting to that top.”
The Swedes are expecting a bumper crowd for the visit of Ireland - as three points could be enough to clinch World Cup qualification.
Pauw has suffered a double-blow in defence, with Manchester United centre-half Diane Caldwell (thigh) joining Galway’s Savannah McCarthy (knee) on the absentee list.
There is a first official call-up for midfielder Lily Agg, who qualifies through her Cork-born Grandmother.
The 28-year-old London City Lionesses player previously trained with the squad in April 2021.
On McCarthy’s long-term injury, Pauw said: “It’s heartbreaking. For her personally especially. It’s a severe injury and we’ll do everything to help her recover.
“She was a different type of defender than the other two in the centre three. That’s why she was so important.
“First of all she’s a left-footer, but secondly she’s a completely different player.
“If you want to step up to the highest level you need different kinds of central defenders with all the abilities.”
Pauw added: “[Caldwell] has a thigh injury unfortunately. We have an issue there.
“On the other hand we have some players coming back. Megan Campbell, with load management, is fit to play. She’s doing well at her club.
“Harriet Scott is available, that’s a boost to the squad. We need to see what choices we make.”
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Chloe Mustaki (Shelbourne), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Rangers), Jess Ziu (Shelbourne), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Kyra Carusa (HB Hoge), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Abbie Larkin (Shelbourne)
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