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17.06.2006 at 19:00 Richmond Park, Inchicore
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Attendance: 450 |
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Referee: M. Olander (Estonia) |
World Cup Qualifier / Prog-match |
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None. |
Kurochkina 16 mins,
Barbashina 82 mins, |
Emma Byrne
Alisha Moran
Edel Malone
Ciara Mary Grant
Marie Curtin
Elaine O Connor
Diane Caldwell
Sonya Hughes
Olivia O Toole
Laura Hislop
Kate Taylor
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Todua,
Tsybutovich,
Sergaeva,
Skotnikova,
Shmachkova,
Savchenkova,
Morozova,
Kurochkina,
Fomina,
Terekhova,
Barbashina. |
Edel Malone (38)
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Olga Sergaeva 57 mins,
Elvira Todua 90+2 mins |
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None. |
Olesya Kurochkina 34 ins, |
The Republic of Ireland Senior Women's were defeated 2-0 by the Russia in a tight encounter in a World Cup qualifier in Richmond Park on Saturday (17th June)
FIFA Womens World Cup Group Four qualifying game
Republic of Ireland 0-2 Russia (Kurochkina 16, Barbashina 82)
The Republic enjoyed plenty of possession but couldn’t force the issue against a slick Russian side at Inchicore.
The visitors scored a goal in each half to go three points clear of Germany at the top of the table but they were made to look ordinary for most of the match by a hard-working Irish display.
Manager Noel King selected three strikers in his starting line-up and Olivia O’Toole, Laura Hislop and Katie Taylor gave the visitors a tough time during the first half.
A sweeping move by Russia on 16 minutes led to the first goal when Kurochkina ghosted into the six-yard box to seize on a knock-down from her fellow striker and she showed great composure to control the ball and slip it past ‘keepr Emma Byrne.
Ireland’s best opportunities fell to Sonya Hughes who saw her shot clear the crossbar by inches before the Republic’s leading goal-scorer of all time, Olivia O’Toole, tucked away a chance only to see the effort ruled out for offside by the Estonian assistant referee.
The Republic matched their opponents during the first half and their ability to hold onto the ball frustrated Russia who needed victory to maintain their push for winning a place in the World Cup Finals in China.
For all their possession in the second half, Ireland were unable to secure an equalizer. O’Toole angled a shot over the bar from the left side of the penalty area and they were nearly awarded a penalty for hand-ball but the players’ protestations were in vain.
Russia sealed with eight minutes left when Barbashina drove home a great shot from 20 yards.
Ireland now play World champions Germany on August 26th in Dublin in their final group game.
Republic of Ireland: Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Elaine O’Connor (Long Island Fury), Edel Malone (Hofstra University), Marie Curtin (Hofstra University), Alisha Moran (Harvard University), Sonya Hughes (Franklin Pierce), Ciara Grant (Arsenal), Diane Caldwell (Raheny United), Katie Taylor (Peaumont), Laura Hislop (New Hampshire Phantoms), Olivia O’Toole (Raheny United).
SUBS: Emma Griffin (Waterford College) for Malone - 50 mins, Aine O’Gorman (Stella Maris) for Hislop - 66 mins, Kacey O’Driscoll (Kerry).for Caldwell - 84 mins
Russia: Todua, Tsybutovich, Sergaeva (Dyachkova 59), Skotnikova, Shmachkova, Savchenkova, Morozova, Kurochkina, Fomina, Terekhova (Danilova 49), Barbashina (Mokshanova 85). |
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