After a long and arduous group campaign, Ireland now have a clearer idea of what they will have to do to reach next year's World after the draw for the play-offs took place this afternoon.
Despite entering the draw as one of the three seeded teams, there was no guarantee that Vera Pauw's would be handed a favourable draw.
While they would be handed a bye in the first round of the process, the complicated nature of the draw meant that they could still land a very tough opponent.
In the end, the team were given an away tie against either Scotland or Austria.
It could have been better, although things could certainly have been worse.
Both of those teams sit just above Ireland in the world rankings, while a home tie in Tallaght Stadium certainly would have also boosted their chances. However, they did manage to avoid a couple of the strongest sides in the play-offs.
Speaking to the media after the tie was confirmed, Vera Pauw admitted that both teams would provide unique but equally formidable challenges.
It's a tough one, it's a very tough draw. Both Scotland and Austria are very good teams.
Austria in the Euros impressed me hugely. I've done one of their games for RTÉ. They are well organised, very physically strong, a few really talented attacking players, a strong striker, a solid defence.
If they get through, it will be very, very difficult. It will be the same with Scotland.
We know how much experience they and how dynamic they play with players like Kim Little. We have huge respect for them.
It could have been better, but we have to deal with it. We have to go for it and we will. We will be ready on the 11th of October...
The only thing is that if we play Scotland, I've just heard that we will play in Hampden Stadium and my old office was there for four years. That would be special.
The teams themselves, you only know after the game. They are both very, very good teams. It's a tough draw, but we will go for it and be ready for it like we are for any other game.
A game with Scotland would be a reunion of sorts for the Ireland boss, having previously had a six year spell in charge of the Scots.
Of course, the convoluted nature of the UEFA play-off system means that her team are still uncertain with the route they will be required to take to the World Cup.
Three teams will emerge from the play-offs, with the top two ranked of those advancing straight to the tournament itself. The third ranked side will go into a mini tournament in New Zealand next spring where the remaining spots will be up for grabs.
Ireland currently rank third among all teams, meaning they will need Iceland or Switzerland to experience a slip-up of some sort if they are to qualify for the tournament automatically.
A home draw certainly would have made their task easier, although Vera Pauw feels the team can still thrive away from home. She also said it would be 'magic' to see Irish fans make their way to either Glasgow or Vienna to support the team.
We don't fear away games. We are confident because we play tasks, that is no different home or away.
We will miss the drive of the crowd and everything they put in to help us over difficult times. We have to deal with it, we have to go out and be at our very, very best that day...
It would magic if Irish fans would travel, because we do need them. We do need you.
It will be so tough for us, but we have our qualities and have shown that. Again, we will make sure that we are on our best with the best game strategy for that game when we arrive.
Ireland's status as a seeded team did give them a bye in the play-offs, and while this was an advantage, it did not offer much in the way of protecting them from a difficult tie.
The strange format of the draw meant they still could have been placed with another seeded team in Iceland or Switzerland. This may have been avoided, but the team has been forced to travel away to an unseeded nation.
Vera Pauw gave a coy response when asked about this anomaly, but did admit that they play-off system did not make much sense. In saying that, she was still thrilled to avoid having to play in the first round.
I've given my opinion already about the play-off system, so let's leave it at that. I think it doesn't make sense...
You could see in the draw, we could have drawn Austria or Scotland in the first round. That is what we are avoiding now, so we are sure that it is in our hands to win that second round game.
That will be very tough, but what we have achieved with those two wins is that we have 90 minutes plus extra-time to qualify. Whether it's for New Zealand or for the World Cup, we will see after the game.
The key thing is that one game, a final. It all comes back to that.
This team has shown over the course of the group that they are more than capable or rising to the big occasion.
Let's hope they have one more similar performance in them.
SEE ALSO: Katie McCabe Laughed Off Slovakia's Attempts To 'Piss Off' Ireland As Play-Off Bye Secured
