Ireland 2
Slovenia 0
JULIE-ANN RUSSELL’S sensational long range shot set the Republic of Ireland team on their way to victory in their last home World Cup 2015 qualifier against a very average Slovenian side.
Fiona O’Sullivan’s second-half goal sealed the win, which moves Sue Ronan’s team to within two points of second-placed Russia and keeps Ireland’s very faint hopes of nicking a play-off place alive, with just two games left to play.
The home side were awarded a free-kick inside two minutes, which Russell struck from near the left flank and about 40 yards out from goal. Slovenian keeper Lucija Mori had no chance as the long, high effort dipped right into the postage stamp.
Ireland went on to dominate next 30 minutes, but failed to increase their lead. Midfielder Diane Caldwell came closest with a header from a Russell cross that had Mori at full stretch to fingertip it away.
Slovenia had a bit more possession toward the end of the half but failed to give skipper Emma Byrne any problems until after the break.
13 minutes after the restart, striker Kaja Erzen’s shot from the edge of the box beat Byrne and hit the post. The rebound came off Byrne’s back and was trickling towards goal but the Irish keeper spun around to prevent the equaliser.
Byrne was back-pedalling just four minutes later, when Slovenian skipper Mateja Zver had a pop from distance on the right wing. Luckily for Byrne, the shot bounced off the top of the crossbar and back out.
Just when it seemed like Ireland might squander all three points, up stepped O’Sullivan to bag the winner. The striker chested down Aine O’Gorman’s cross from the wing in the 76th minute, before turning to volley home from close range.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Byrne (C), Fahey, Quinn, Gorman (Littlejohn 46), Caldwell, F.O’Sullivan, D.O’Sullivan (Smyth 66), Russell, O’Gorman, Duggan, Roche (Killeen 59). Substitutes: Reid-Burke, Perry, De Burca, Grant.
SLOVENIA: Mori, Jerina (Ketis 76), Grad, Rola, Nikl, Zver (C), Kos, Marolt (Kralj 51), Erzen, Zganec, Tibaut. Substitutes: Vamberger, Sevsek, Erman, Rogan, Siljak.
Referee: Linn Anderson (Sweden)