LAST UPDATE | 31 Oct 2023
THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland’s Uefa Women’s Nations League clash against Albania has resumed, having being suspended for over an hour due to adverse weather conditions.
Referee Araksya Saribekya made the decision at half time, with the scoreline 0-0 at Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër, and the pitch increasingly unplayable.
Reporting from the stadium, RTÉ’s Dave Kelly said there would be no play for at least an hour, and should conditions still not improve, the second half would resume tomorrow.
“The referee has decided that the game will continue,” the FAI later wrote on Twitter, having offered sparse updates throughout the episode.
“Should conditions worsen, the referee will inform both teams as to what the next course of action will be.”
The second half is underway and available to watch on the RTÉ News Now channel.
A thunderstorm during the opening period quickly resulted in an unplayable pitch, with visible puddles forming amidst the torrential rain and the ball sticking to the surface.
Rain was expected during the game amid temperatures of up to 20 degrees Celcius.
It's 0-0 at half-time between Ireland and Albania in Shkoder with conditions increasingly difficult for both sets of players amid a continuing downpour #COYGIG #ALBIRL #IRLWNT
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 31, 2023
📱 Updates - https://t.co/krrOLSWsD0
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/JYf06csaIG pic.twitter.com/fsJHAUyX54
UEFA Nations League HT: Albania 0-0 Rep of Ireland
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 31, 2023
This is the current state of the pitch at Stadiumi Loro Borici after 40 minutes of incessant rain #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/N66pC4sTl6
Ireland are targeting their fourth win from four in Group B1 of the Uefa Women’s Nations League, having defeated Albania 5-1 at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.
A win tonight, coupled with a draw between Northern Ireland and Hungary in Belfast, would secure promotion to League B for Eileen Gleeson’s side.
