Republic of Ireland v China PR: Preview, time, team news and TV details

Republic of Ireland WNT manager Vera Pauw. PIC: Sportsfile

placeholder image — Republic of Ireland WNT manager Vera Pauw. PIC: Sportsfile

PREVIEW

The Girls in Green, currently ranked 23rd in the world, take on China in an international friendly at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador, Algeciras today (Wednesday, February 22). The game against the AFC Women's Asian Cup winners - who are currently 14th in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings - will be the first meeting between the two countries as they both conclude 10-day training camps in Marbella, Spain.

TIME

The friendly encounter kicks off at 1pm (Irish time).

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Grace Moloney (Reading), Naoisha McAloon (Durham WFC)

Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Deborah-Ann De La Harpe (Sydney FC)

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Isibeal Atkinson (West Ham United)

Forwards: Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit)

TEAM NEWS

All Irish players are fit and available for selection. The trio of Aoife Mannion, Deborah-Anne De La Harpe and Marissa Sheva have each received FIFA International Clearance.

QUOTES CORNER

Manager Vera Pauw said: "All of our players are fit and ready for this game after a really good week training. We also had a tough game against Germany behind closed doors, which allowed us to use 26 of the 27 players here in camp with us and that was a very good exercise for us.

"We expect a very tough game against China. We expect them to put us under pressure, which is why we have chosen to play against this type of opponent. It is also an opportunity for us to make the next step in our attacking play."

TV DETAILS

The game will be live on the RTÉ News channel from 12:55pm.