Ireland's women slipped to a crucial 2-0 defeat at the hands of Scotland at Richmond Park tonight. The Scots now overtake Ireland in the World Cup qualifying group.Ireland need a respectable qualifying campaign to remain with the top tier teams for future qualifying campaigns.
After a score-less first half, Scotland took the lead two minutes into the second period. After a well worked build-up Jo Love slotted home when faced one-on-one by Irish keeper Emma Byrne.
Julie Fleeting got through on goal with just five minutes remaining before rounding Byrne to make it 2-0. But for a good stop from Byrne, Scotland would have made it 3-0 in the closing moments. The Arsenal keeper managed to push Fleeting's header onto the crossbar and away to safety.
Ireland: Byrne, O’Connor, Boyle (O'Gorman 87), Curtin, Moran, Hughes, Grant, Caldwell (Scanlon 55), O’Brien, Taylor (O'Toole 71), Malone.
Scotland: Fay, Smith, McDonald, Dieke, Ross (Jones 33), Love, Grant, Malone (Burns 55), Fleeting, Hamill (McBride 79), Grant. |
