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Ireland·Netherlands·Football

Ireland shrink pitch to minimum dimensions ahead of World Cup qualifier against Netherlands

Friday, 5 June 2026, 06:36 · 1 min read

Ireland will host the Netherlands (Oranje, the Dutch women's national team) in a FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier tomorrow, having deliberately set the pitch to its smallest permitted dimensions under UEFA rules — 64 metres wide and 100 metres long, compared to the maximum 68 by 105 metres. Dutch head coach Arjan Veurink expressed mild surprise at the tactic but acknowledged Ireland are within their rights, noting the narrower surface could slightly hamper his side's possession-based style. The Netherlands won the first leg 2-1 in Utrecht and Ireland need a result to keep their own qualification hopes alive, giving them strong motivation to disrupt their more fancied opponents by any means available.

Sources
NOS SportIeren verkleinen veld voor duel met Oranje: 'Als ze denken dat ze zo kunnen winnen...' ↗︎
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