Soccer Scene

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22.02.2008 at 14:30 Oscar Traynor Road Development Centre Attendance:
Womens International Under 17 1 - 2 Poland
Referee: Friendly-match

Goalscorers
Amy Ryan
Aleksanadra Sikora
Aleksanadra Sikora
Opening squads
Niamh Reid-Burke
Lucy Hannon
Emer Flatley
Eilish Ward
Zoe Doherty
Anna Mc Cormack
Emily Hanney
Karen Duggan
Amy Ryan
Tanya Kennedy
Gillian Mc Donnell
Substitutes
Sinead Crotty
Ciara Grant
Yvonne Cahill
Maria Delahunty
Megan Campbell
Rebecca Walsh
Substitutions
None. None
Yellow cards
Amy Ryan
None
Red cards
None. None
Other statistics
0 Shots 0
0 Shots on goal 0
0 Offsides 0
0 Corner kicks 0
0 Free kicks 0
0 Penalties 0
Match report
Republic of Ireland 1-2 Poland

The Republic of Ireland Women's Under-17 narrowly lost the first part of the double-friendly against Poland today at the Oscar Traynor Road Development Centre. Aleksanadra Sikora scored a goal in each half to claim victory for the visitors while Ireland's strike came from Amy Ryan.

Sikora opened the scoring with only three minutes gone before Ryan stuck Ireland's equaliser shortly after the interval.

However, Sikora was to be the difference between the nations as she tucked away her second goal on 53 minutes to seal victory.

Ireland will also meet their Poland counterparts this Sunday, February 24th at the same venue at 12pm.

The Irish are building towards the second qualification stage of the UEFA Championships which will take place in Perpignan, France from March 18-23.

Ireland begin their Elite segment by facing Scotland on March 18 before they meet mini-group hosts France on March 20. They complete the series with a tie against Norway on March 23.

The Irish progressed into the Elite qualifying phase of the first-ever UEFA Women’s Championship at this age-group after they were narrowly beaten by Sweden in a quadrangular qualifying tournament in Antalya, Turkey played last October.

Following successive 5-0 victories over mini-group hosts Turkey and Moldova, Ireland required a draw from their final group match against Sweden to clinch top spot in the group.

The Swedes, however, proceeded automatically from the pool as winners with a maximum nine points following this win over Ireland which they were made work hard for.

Ireland qualified as a best second-placed team and are one of 16 nations competing in the Elite phase. Only the first-placed team in each mini-tournament will qualify for the Finals in May.

In addition, the top three teams from the European Championships advance to the inaugural FIFA U-17 World Cup Finals in New Zealand.

The Irish management staff of manager Noel King, assistant Johnny Morris-Burke and coach Sharon Boyle consider these pair of matches against Poland as key preparation for next month’s qualifiers.

Republic of Ireland team:
Niamh Reid-Burke - Raheny United
Anna McCormack - Cam Celtic
Emer Flatley - Salthill Devon
Tanya Kennedy – Finn Valley
Emily Hanney - Stella Maris
Karen Duggan - Piltown
Lucy Hannon - Salthill Devon
Eilish Ward - Finn Valley
Amy Ryan - Stella Maris
Gillian McDonnell - Dundalk City WFC
Zoe Doherty - Carndonagh

Substitutes:
Rebecca Walsh - Salthill Devon
Yvonne Cahill - Lakewood Athletic
Megan Campbell - Moneymore
Maria Delahunty - Benfica
Ciara Grant - Lagan Harps
Sinead Crotty – Connecticut United


Women’s Under-17 Friendly Internationals:

Today
Republic of Ireland 1-2 Poland.
Oscar Traynor Road Development Centre, Oscar Traynor Road, Coolock, Dublin 17 (2.30pm).

Sunday, February 24
Republic of Ireland v Poland.
Oscar Traynor Road Development Centre, Oscar Traynor Road, Coolock, Dublin 17 (12pm).
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