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09.09.2010 at 15:00
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Attendance: |
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Canada |
0 - 1
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Womens International Under 17 |
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Referee: |
World Cup Final / r-match |
Ireland claim historic World Cup win against Canada
Created on Friday, 10 September 2010 02:27
FIFA Women's U17 World Cup - Group D
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Canada
Siobhán Killeen (75 mins)
canada goalThe Republic of Ireland Women's U17 side defeated Canada 1-0 on Thursday in the FIFA World Cup, courtesy of a stunning strike from Siobhán Killeen in the 75th minute at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad. In an epic battle with two well drilled teams fighting for their place in the quarter-finals, the Irish players dug deep to carve out a decisive victory which now puts them on top of the group.
Meanwhile, Group D of the FIFA Women's U17 World Cup looks set to go down to the wire as Ghana stunned Brazil by beating them 1-0 at the Larry Gomes Stadium. As it stands, all four teams in Group D have three points and Ireland now go into their final group game against Ghana on Monday, knowing that a victory will be enough to send them through to the World Cup quarter-finals.
In a tough battle, it was Ireland who started brightly and Irish defender, Jennifer Byrne almost scored the game's opening goal as she headed an Aileen Gilroy corner towards goal but the Canadian defence managed to clear the ball off the line.
Canadian striker, Haisha Cantave was causing all sorts of problems for the Irish defence and her first opportunity of the game came in the 20th minute when she collected the ball in Ireland's box but her forceful effort on goal was well saved by Grace Moloney.
Killala's Aileen Gilroy almost scored with a spectacular effort after 28 minutes when she ran on to a Stacie Donnelly pass outside the box but her powerful strike went just over the bar.
Canada's Cantave, will be disappointed not to have put her side in front after 34 minutes when she was allowed space for a free header in front of goal but once again Grace Moloney was well positioned to clear the danger. Four minutes later, Canada's Caroline Beaulne came agonisingly close as she burst through the Irish cover but her left footed shot went inches wide of the post from 15 yards out.
Megan Campbell came to Ireland's rescue in the 49th minute as the ever-dangerous Cantave broke through the Irish defence but Campbell was on-hand to clear the ball off the line and away to safety. Irish captain, Dora Gorman almost grabbed a superb goal in the 56th minute when her 25 yard shot was saved by D'Angelo in goal. One minute later, Siobhán Killeen showed a quick turn of pace to maneuver her way into Canada's box but her goal-bound effort went straight to the keeper.
Reading's Grace Moloney was in super form and she came to Ireland's rescue in the 61st and 66th minute as she made two fantastic saves from Campbell and once again, Cantave. Ireland took the lead with 75 minutes on the clock when Siobhán Killeen collected the ball in her opponents box following a scramble by the defenders in an attempt to clear the ball. The Raheny midfielder showed great strength to hold off her marker before clipping the ball into the top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.
The goal seemed to give Ireland the confidence to press further as Aileen Gilroy went agonisingly close in the 80th minute while once again, Grace Moloney pulled off another superb save from her nemesis, Cantave. In the closing stages, Ireland coolly played possession football in their opponents half as they hung on for a decisive victory which puts them on top of Group D ahead of the winner takes all clash with Ghana on Monday.
Republic of Ireland:
Grace Moloney, Ciara O'Brien, Megan Campbell, Jessica Gleeson, Jennifer Byrne, Ciara Grant, Aileen Gilroy, Dora Gorman (C), Denise O'Sullivan, Siobhán Killeen, Stacie Donnelly.
Substitutes
Zoe Boyd, Rianna Jarrett, Tanya Kennedy, Kerry Glynn, Amanda Budden, Claire Shine, Harriet Scott (on for Killeen 89 mins), Rebecca Kearney, Jillian Maloney, Emma Hansberry.
Canada:
D'Angelo; Kovacs, Setterlund, Clarke, Achille; McNicoll, Simpson, Campbell, Beaulne; Ghoneim, Cantave.
Referee: Sachiko Yamagishi
FIFA Women's U17 World Cup - Group 4 Fixtures
Republic of Ireland 1-2 Brazil
Monday, September 6
Larry Gomes Stadium, Trinidad
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Canada
Thursday, September 9
Larry Gomes Stadium, Trinidad
Republic of Ireland v Ghana
Monday September 14
Dwight Yorke Stadium, Tobago
Kick-off: 7pm (local time) |
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