Ireland had an encouraging performance but a disappointing result against France as they opened their World Cup qualification campaign on Tuesday at Tallaght Stadium.
They kept one of the best sides in the world at bay for long spells and took an early lead through Katie McCabe before the French hit back in the second half, thanks to substitute Melvine Malard’s brace.
A last-gasp Denise O’Sullivan effort cleared off the line reinforced the sense that it wasn’t going to be Ireland’s night, but Carla Ward praised the dogged performance afterwards, with her side unlucky not to come away with a point.
They will be hoping to maintain that performance level in Utrecht tonight and achieve a better outcome, but will be underdogs again versus a Netherlands team that are 16 places above them in the Fifa rankings.
The Dutch themselves will be less than satisfied after an opening 2-2 draw with Poland — the team that many pundits are tipping to compete with Ireland for third spot in the group.
But it will undoubtedly be another big test for Ward’s side, with the hosts possessing no shortage of world-class performers to choose from in their squad.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
The other game in the group, in which France host Poland, starts slightly later (8.10pm Irish time).
4 hrs ago
7:16PM
Confirmation of the Ireland starting XI below, with Denise O’Sullivan the notable absentee through injury…
Irish fans pictured at the game. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
4 hrs ago
7:58PM
10 mins: Wieke Kaptein, the 20-year-old Chelsea youngster, attempts a pot shot that goes narrowly wide.
Moments later, Miedema slips through Beerensteyn, who gets in behind Mannion but can’t get past Brosnan, with her teammates in the box frustrated that she didn’t square it.
4 hrs ago
8:01PM
14 mins: More positive play ends with Sheva’s low cross deflected out for a corner.
They certainly haven’t been afraid to get bodies forward.
Ireland held their own for long periods against a technically superior side, and will probably feel they could have secured at least a point with more luck.
The Netherlands dominated for most of the game, but Ireland created a couple of decent chances.
Carla Ward will be especially disappointed with the manner of the goals conceded. The second one in particular was preventable, and Brosnan will feel she could have done better.
Both performances have been decent overall against teams most people wouldn’t have expected Ireland to take anything from.
The defeat makes the back-to-back games against Poland on 14 and 18 April all the more important.
You would think the Girls in Green would need at least four points from those fixtures to maintain any realistic hope of avoiding finishing bottom of the group.
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As it happened: Netherlands v Ireland, World Cup qualifier
Netherlands 2-1 Ireland
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
Ireland had an encouraging performance but a disappointing result against France as they opened their World Cup qualification campaign on Tuesday at Tallaght Stadium.
They kept one of the best sides in the world at bay for long spells and took an early lead through Katie McCabe before the French hit back in the second half, thanks to substitute Melvine Malard’s brace.
A last-gasp Denise O’Sullivan effort cleared off the line reinforced the sense that it wasn’t going to be Ireland’s night, but Carla Ward praised the dogged performance afterwards, with her side unlucky not to come away with a point.
They will be hoping to maintain that performance level in Utrecht tonight and achieve a better outcome, but will be underdogs again versus a Netherlands team that are 16 places above them in the Fifa rankings.
The Dutch themselves will be less than satisfied after an opening 2-2 draw with Poland — the team that many pundits are tipping to compete with Ireland for third spot in the group.
But it will undoubtedly be another big test for Ward’s side, with the hosts possessing no shortage of world-class performers to choose from in their squad.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
The other game in the group, in which France host Poland, starts slightly later (8.10pm Irish time).
Confirmation of the Ireland starting XI below, with Denise O’Sullivan the notable absentee through injury…
And here is how the Dutch will line out…
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
We’re underway…
4 mins: Decent start by Ireland.
Carusa wins a corner as her cross deflects off the Dutch player.
McCabe’s delivery finds Hayes, whose header deflects narrowly wide after coming off Wilms.
6 mins: Another big chance.
Carusa hooks it across goal, and Hayes (again!) heads wide under pressure from the Dutch defender.
10 mins: Wieke Kaptein, the 20-year-old Chelsea youngster, attempts a pot shot that goes narrowly wide.
Moments later, Miedema slips through Beerensteyn, who gets in behind Mannion but can’t get past Brosnan, with her teammates in the box frustrated that she didn’t square it.
14 mins: More positive play ends with Sheva’s low cross deflected out for a corner.
They certainly haven’t been afraid to get bodies forward.
NETHERLANDS 1-0 IRELAND (BEEREENSTEYN 20)
The Dutch have been looking increasingly dominant in the last few minutes and have got their reward.
It’s a well-worked move down the right, culminating with a low cross by Wilms that Beerensteyn gets on the end of.
Here’s a look at the goal…
27 mins: Katie McCabe has been given a warning by the referee after a late challenge on Roord.
Ireland are still finding it difficult to get the ball, with the Dutch continuing to control the play.
30 mins: Nervy moment as Brosnan comes but fails to gather a Dutch free kick into the box.
Fortunately, it falls to McCabe, who clears her lines.
32 mins: Murphy makes a positive run forward.
She slips it to Carusa, whose attempt on goal is blocked by Olislagers.
Here’s a look at Hayes’ early chance…
36 mins: The game has hit a lull in recent minutes.
There was a lengthy stoppage as Brosnan received treatment, but the goalkeeper should be okay to continue.
39 mins: Ireland are seeing a bit more of the ball now.
As I type, Lucy Quinn’s cross-shot narrowly evades the head of Sheva and drops just wide.
43 mins: Big save by Brosnan.
Egurrola picks out Beerensteyn with a lofted through pass, but it’s a poor enough finish, and the goalkeeper stops it with her legs.
Here’s a look at that Lucy Quinn chance…
HALF-TIME: NETHERLANDS 1-0 IRELAND
The second half has begun…
47 mins: Ireland start the half on the front foot.
McCabe’s free kick is headed out for a corner by Miedema.
PENALTY TO IRELAND!
McCabe puts in a dangerous delivery and Kop is penalised for a challenge on Patten as the Irish defender heads the ball.
NETHERLANDS 1-1 IRELAND (MCCABE 50)
McCabe sends the goalkeeper the wrong way as Ireland equalise.
Great start to the second half for Ireland.
Dangerous moment for Ireland.
Beerensteyn controls a free kick really well, but can’t steer her shot on target.
Here’s a look at the penalty decision and subsequent goal by McCabe…
58 mins: Big chance for the Dutch.
The hosts counter, and Wilms squares it to Miedema, who can’t hit the target with the goal at her mercy.
Moments later, Murphy gets booked for a late challenge on Egurrola.
Now, Sheva goes into the book for a mistimed challenge on Roord.
It’s the Dutch who are exerting all the pressure right now.
62 mins: Murphy gets an important cleared header after Miedema flicks on a corner.
Ireland need to come through this difficult spell.
65 mins: Triple change for the Dutch.
Kaptein, Leuchter and Roord go off.
Van de Donk, Groenen and Brugts come on.
And for Ireland, Barrett replaces Quinn.
71 mins: Wilms makes a vital challenge to stop Carusa running through on goal.
Ireland have occasionally threatened on the counter-attack despite the Dutch generally dominating since the equaliser.
73 mins: Ireland counter again, but it ends disappointingly, as Connolly’s pot shot is comfortably saved by Kop.
Carla Ward’s side have looked more comfortable in the last few minutes.
Here’s a look at one of the Netherlands’ chances…
In case you’re wondering, France are 2-1 up against Poland in the other game.
Around 50 minutes have been played there.
77 mins: A set piece is half cleared.
It falls to McCabe on the edge of the area, but it’s an uncharacteristically poor attempt, as she skies it well over the bar.
NETHERLANDS 2-1 IRELAND (BEERENSTEYN 82)
The Netherlands re-take the lead.
Brugts’ delivery is awkward for Brosnan.
The goalkeeper can’t gather it, and it falls kindly for Beerensteyn, who hooks it home from close range for her second goal of the night.
84 mins: Ireland react to the goal by making an immediate change.
Larkin replaces Carusa.
Here’s a look at what could be the winning goal…
In addition to the fresh legs of Larkin, Patten has been instructed to play up front.
Ireland certainly won’t die wondering.
89 mins: Larkin creates space wide right, but her cross goes straight into Kop’s arms.
RTÉ Stephanie Zambra has named Emily Murphy as the Player of the Match.
90 mins: There will be five minutes of stoppage time.
As I type, Brugts goes down under Mustaki’s challenge amid penalty claims that the referee ignores.
92 mins: More late changes.
For Ireland, Noonan is on for Sheva.
And for the Dutch, Miedema is replaced by Grant.
94 mins: Almost a disaster for Brosnan.
She plays a pass straight to Groenen, whose goalbound shot is blocked by Beerensteyn.
Then Connolly delivers a free kick into the Dutch area that’s easily cleared.
FULL-TIME: NETHERLANDS 2-1 IRELAND
So that’s that.
It’s ultimately a similar story to Tuesday night.
Ireland held their own for long periods against a technically superior side, and will probably feel they could have secured at least a point with more luck.
The Netherlands dominated for most of the game, but Ireland created a couple of decent chances.
Carla Ward will be especially disappointed with the manner of the goals conceded. The second one in particular was preventable, and Brosnan will feel she could have done better.
Both performances have been decent overall against teams most people wouldn’t have expected Ireland to take anything from.
The defeat makes the back-to-back games against Poland on 14 and 18 April all the more important.
You would think the Girls in Green would need at least four points from those fixtures to maintain any realistic hope of avoiding finishing bottom of the group.
Right, that’s all from me.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read our match report here and we’ll have more reaction to follow.
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