Belgium v Ireland preview: Reputations are on the line as Irish look to promote their cause

Securing advancement to elite level guarantees smoother World Cup path

Katie McCabe and head coach Carla Ward during Ireland’s training session at The King Power at Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland may not be the only football association to soon ponder whether the acquisition of an Icelandic manager might not end up being the harbinger of hope they had wished for.

Of course, the Irish folks who appointed Heimir Hallgrimsson will not be around to see him off should his stuttering World Cup qualification campaign peter out.