Ireland to face North Korea in Cyprus Cup play-off

The Republic of Ireland's reward for finishing top of Group C in the Cyprus Cup is a 3rd/4th place play-off meeting with North Korea in Larnaca on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Having been drawn in the third group of the 12-team competition – based on being one of the four lowest-ranked teams competing – Colin Bell's side were ineligible to qualify for the final.

 

But wins over the Czech Republic and Wales, either side of a scoreless draw with Hungary, saw the Girls in Green qualify with seven points and not a single goal conceded in the three games.

 

And Ireland will need to maintain that defensive form if they are to overcome the tournament's highest-ranked team, who came into the tournament tenth in the FIFA rankings to Ireland's 34th.

 

North Korea scored seven times as they handed out 3-0 and 4-1 beatings to Italy and North Korea, a 1-0 loss to Switzerland the only blot on their copybook so far.

 



It will be the first time an Irish representative football side has faced the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at any level.

 

Kick-off is scheduled for 12.30pm Irish time (2.30pm local) at the AEK Arena in Larnaca, home of AEK Larnaca, on Wednesday, March 8th.

 

Watch footage of Ireland's 1-0 win over Wales, which sealed top spot in Group C, here.