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O'Sullivan believes in miracle...

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O'Sullivan believes in miracles | Ireland gearing up for Germany


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Denise O'Sullivan believes in miracles, which is not surprising considering she almost helped make one happen six years ago.

The Republic of Ireland midfield maestro was part of the team that almost drew with the then-European Champions and world number two side, Germany, in a dramatic World Cup qualifier at Tallaght Stadium.

The Germans came from behind, after Louise Quinn's early goal, to lead 2-1 heading into the last five minutes before Stephanie Roche struck in the 89th minute to make it 2-2 which would have been an incredible result for the Girls in Green.

Ultimately the match ended in heartbreak with the German's managing to find a winner in injury time but even still, it was the first time that the visitors had conceded more than once in 90 minutes - in 16 matches.

The current German team are also ranked number two in the world and have only lost one of their last 11 competitive matches while in the ten victories in that run, their defence has not been breached.

To book a play-off place next Tuesday, Ireland need to beat Germany in their last Euro 2022 qualifier at the same venue their hearts were broken back in 2014 but does O'Sullivan believe in miracles?

"I do yeah. Anything can happen. It's eleven v eleven," said the Cork native.

"Being realistic, Germany are out of this world. We seen it against them the last time [3-0 away defeat in September], they're such a good team and it was a really tough game but anything can happen.

"We'll have a gameplan and we'll out and do the best we can. I'm looking forward to it.

"We have to be realistic, Germany are one of the best teams in the world. We saw that against them [in September], how good they were and how tough the game was but we have a gameplan.

"We'll work hard this week and just go out and do our best and try and get the three points."

If Vera Pauw's side fail to get the result they need against Germany, they will then be looking for a favour from Montenegro who are away to a Ukraine side that lie in third place and just one point behind Ireland in the coveted play-off place in the group.

Montenegro have yet to win a point in the group after seven matches and O'Sullivan admits that it will be just as hard for them to get anything from their last game in the group.

"The same with us, it's eleven v eleven and they could take the points, I'm not really sure but it would be fantastic if they did," said O'Sullivan.

"Ukraine are a good side and, I don't know, we'll just wait and see."


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Denise O'Sullivan Euro 2022 Republic Of Ireland Stephanie Roche Vera Pauw

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