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02.10.2013 at 15:00
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Attendance: |
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Iceland |
1 - 2
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Womens International Under 17 |
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Referee: |
European Elite Stage / r-match |
Republic of Ireland 2 Iceland 1
THE Republic of Ireland Women's U17 team got back on track with a 2-1 victory over Iceland in the Elite Qualifying Round of the UEFA WU17 Championships in Buftea, Romania, today.
Dave Connell's side led at the break through a Sarah McKevitt goal then added a second through Megan Connolly – 14th goal in 15 games at this level – before Iceland replied with a last minute penalty from Esther Ros Arnarsdóttir.
Irish keeper Brooke Dunne showed her quality in the 24th minute when she made a double-save to deny first Sigríður María Sigurdardóttir and then Arnarsdóttir in a frantic spell in the Irish penalty area./
Ireland were the more solid side and the opening goal came in the 32nd minute when McKevitt found the net. The winger produced a moment of magic, cutting in from the left before unleashing a brilliant shot into the top corner from outside the box.
Connolly bagged the decisive second goal in the 51st minute with another top class finish. Lucy McCartan made a positive run from deep before feeding Connolly, who turned well and produced an excellent strike from the edge of the box that also flew into the top corner.
Icelandic keeper Hafdis Erla Gunnarsdóttir had made a save from a McKevitt goal attempt just moments earlier.
Evelyn Daly might have wrapped the game up in the 66th minute but her effort was blocked following a McKevitt corner kick and three minutes later Gunnarsdóttir had to make a save to deny McKevitt again.
As the Icelandic side pressed to get back in the game Dunne stood firm again in the 71st minute to keep out an effort from Elena Brynjarsdóttir.
Iceland were awarded a spot-kick in the 80th minute after a foul by Savannah McCarthy on Ingibjörg Sigurdardóttir and Arnarsdóttir slotted home from the penalty spot. Unfortunately McCarthy will be suspended for the next match.
The Irish now sit second behind leaders Spain – who beat hosts Romania 8-0 today. Ireland meet the Romanians on Saturday morning with hopes of at least clinching second spot – which could potentially lead to a best runners-up qualification for the finals – still alive.
"It was a tough physical game as I expected it to be. The conditions were testing again. We started very positively. Megan Connolly shot wide early on and Roma McLaughlin also had a chance so we looked good early on," said Connell.
"The only thing we can do is knuckle down on Saturday, get a result and see how the rest of the groups pan out. It's out of our hands in some ways but we have to do our job and get the six points.
"Sarah Jane McDonald has been ill with a throat infection so hopefully she'll recover for Saturday while Megan Lynch is close to being fit again."
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Brooke Dunne, Jessica Gargan, Courtney Higgins, Hayley Nolan, Savannah McCarthy (C), Roma McLaughlin, Keeva Keenan, Megan Connolly, Evelyn Daly, Sarah McKevitt (Eleanor Stafford 80), Lucy McCarton.
ICELAND: Hafdis Erla Gunnarsdóttir, Arna Dís Arnthórsdóttir, Erna Gudrun Magnúsdóttir, Esther Ros Arnarsdóttir, Eva Bergrín Ólafsdóttir, Hulda Osk Jonsdóttir (Hulda Hrund Arnarsdóttir 72), Ingibjörg Sigurdardóttir, Lilly Rut Hlynsdóttir, María Eva Eyjólfsdóttir, Petrea Bjort Saevarsdóttir (Elena Brynjarsdóttir 53), Sigríður María Sigurdardóttir (Bergrós Ásgeirsdóttir 53).
FIXTURES
Monday, September 30
Spain 2 Republic of Ireland 1, Football Centre FRF, Buftea (ROU).
Wednesday, October 2
Republic of Ireland 2 Iceland 1, Football Centre FRF, Buftea (ROU) (3.00pm Irish).
Saturday, October 5
Romania v Republic of Ireland, Football Centre FRF, Mogosoaia (ROU) (9.00am Irish). |
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