Algarve Cup
05.03.2008 at 15:00 -
The Republic of Ireland senior Women’s team will be looking to overcome last month’s set-back against Italy by performing well at this week’s Algarve tournament.
Ireland’s ambitions of completing their UEFA Championship qualifying group in one of the top two slots were dealt a blow with defeat to the Italians in Sardinia. The Irish had led at the break through Kate Taylor’s opener but the hosts hit back with four goals in the final ten minutes to grab a vital three points.
A strong third-placed finish could still be sufficient to earn a play-off into the European Championships of 2009 in Finland and manager Noel King will have his squad fully concentrated on their next competitive fixture away to Hungary on April 23rd.
Ireland will play a series of friendly matches over the next week in the Algarve to prepare for the upcoming qualifier. They will meet Portugal tomorrow, Wednesday, in the Estadio Algarve in Faro (3.30pm) before facing Iceland on Friday and Poland next Monday.
Depending on how they fare in that group, they will face another nation in a fourth game.
King has been pleased by the morale of the squad since that disappointing defeat against Italy and predicts them to bounce back in the Algarve.
“We played some fantastic stuff against the Italians but a lapse during the final ten minutes cost us badly,” he said.
“I know that this squad is on an upward slope and we are delighted to be back playing matches so quickly after the last game. We will put that result behind us and move on.”
He is expecting a difficult test against the host nation in tomorrow’s group opener.
“We drew against Portugal last season and then beat them in a penalty shoot-out here,” said King. “They are an improving nation in terms of Women’s football and they are keen to raise the profile of the game in this country.
“Tomorrow’s game will be played in the Estadio Algarve in Faro, which was especially built for the 2004 European Championships and has a capacity of 30,000. The game will also be live on Portuguese television.”
|
