Ziu sees light after overcoming second ACL nightmare

The Republic of Ireland have missed Jess Ziu.

They've missed her technical excellence; her ability to demand the ball in tight spaces and treat it like an old friend; her high footballing IQ that's stood out since her formative years at Shelbourne.

And they've missed her amiable honesty.

One of the game's deep-thinkers, Ziu is articulate and concise.

In the past, she's pored over Hudl - a coaching tool that videos training sessions and matches - analysing everything about her performance.

She admits now her football obsession was too much, and that a desperately unfortunate ACL injury in August 2024 - her second in three years - led to a reassessment of how best to spend precious free time.

"The second one, I tried to be a more social, go out with the girls, go home to family, because the first one, I just dive head-first, football, football, football," Ziu reflected ahead of Friday's Nations League promotion/relegation first leg against Belgium at Aviva Stadium.

"The second time around, I learned there is more to life than just football and I knew how to enjoy my life. That helped me mentally, not diving right in.

"When I did my knee the first time, I am not even playing and I am still on Hudl the whole time.

"I think the second injury has taught me quite a lot. And there is no hiding the fact it wasn't as smooth as the first one, definitely more mentally challenging.

"I just had great people around me. I stuck to my roots and did what the physios were telling me and it led me back to here."

Ziu sustained that second cruciate injury on her left knee in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly with West Ham 14 months ago.

The first cruciate (on her right) came in November 2022, just as she was taking off at the Hammers, who she joined from Shels. That shattered Ziu's ambitions of featuring at the 2023 World Cup in Australia.

Such setbacks are enormous blows to a young footballer - she's still just 23 - but Ziu has rolled with the punches.

A loan move to WSL2 outfit Bristol City in the summer has given her the opportunity to get minutes on the pitch, rebuild fitness and rediscover the confidence that previously made her such a vibrant presence in the Irish team.

"That is the ultimate goal for any football player, to play with your national team," she added.

"So, I just kept my head down at club level, hoping I would get back to this stage and here I am today. I am happy and proud of myself to get back here.

"I think every footballer is quite good at turning their emotions off."

Ziu used to live with West Ham's Belgian defender Amber Tysiak, who's in the Red Devils squad for this week's clash in Dublin.

There's been plenty of friendly banter exchanged over the last few days, with Ziu quietly confident the Girls in Green are good enough to have the last laugh.

"Me and Amber are really close," she smiled. "I still have my room in the house and I'll drop by every now and then. And she's given me a few messages for a jersey swap after the game.

"She's probably my best friend at West Ham so I'm really excited to play against her.

"They've got good players. There's no hiding that. I do think they're a strong team. Amber's given me a bit of slack about some of our performances in the past.

"I think we're quite similar though, both of our national teams.

"I think we can stand up to Belgium player for player. We joke a lot about a lot of things, but I'm sure when the game comes, it'll be serious."

Watch Republic of Ireland v Belgium in the UEFA Women's Nations League play-offs on Friday from 6.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live radio commentary on an extended Game On with 2fm.

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