Republic of Ireland 1
New Zealand 1
Netherlands 1
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Republic of Ireland 0 - 0 Scotland
REPORT: Scoreless draw keeps WU17s in hunt
Having beaten Serbia in their opening game in Group 4, Ireland were quietly confident of matching their opponents in this encounter. And so that proved to be the case.
Dave Bell knows how good his young team can be when attacking at pace and they showed that in this game with 17 attempts on goal and 35 breaks forward that put Scotland on the back foot.
As early as the eighth minute Ireland registered their intent with Carla McManus unloading a shot at goal that was blocked down. They kept the pressure on with Isibeal Carolan going close before she was substituted.
Ireland play a free-flowing game that tries to get in behind their opponents and they proved to be successful with that as Heather Payne and Alannah McEvoy wreaked havoc with their pace.
Scotland hardly had time to catch their breath in between chances as Tiegan Ruddy, Megan Mackey and Payne all went close in the first period. But they also had to stay alert with goalkeeper Erica Turner making a couple of fine saves.
After the interval it was more of the same from Ireland with McManus, McEvoy and Payne all unlucky not to break the deadlock. Then came the pulsating moment when McManus rattled the woodwork on 52 minutes.
Scotland made a few changes in an attempt to turn the game in their favour, but they found themselves spending most of the second period trying to limit Ireland and goalkeeper Jade Baillie was kept busy.
Ultimately, Bell's side could not find the goal that their positive play deserved so they had to settle for a draw - which leaves them on four points after two games, matching Hungary who beat Serbia 1-0 in the other game.
Next up is a showdown with Hungary on Saturday. Another positive result could see Bell's team finish as group winners and qualify for this summer's finals tournament in Czech Republic.
Republic of Ireland: Turner; Grier, Ruddy, Doyle; Carolan (Fahey 23), Spillane, Toland, Payne; McEvoy, McManus, Mackey.
Scotland: Baillie; Adderley, Eddie, Cameron, Laing (Santoyo Brown 58); McAlonie; Napier, McDonald (Welch 71), Muir; Cross, Davidson (McIntosh 53).
Referee: Vera Opeykina (Russia).
Toland eyes next level with WU17s
A 1-0 win over Serbia propelled Dave Bell's squad to the top of Group 4, however midfield ace Toland sees more benefit in working harder rather than basking in the glory of an opening win. As far as she is concerned, there is work to do.
The objective for this squad is to make it out of these Elite Round qualifiers - which are being hosted by Serbia - and book a place in this summer's UEFA European Championship finals in Czech Republic. One step at a time though as they still have two games to play.
"We are really happy that we got the three points against Serbia. It was what we wanted from the game and it gives us a great start. But we rushed things a little too much and didn't play good football at times," said Toland.
Ever the perfectionist, Toland has focused in on the areas where she and her team-mates can improve ahead of Wednesday's clash with Scotland. It is that type of professional mindset that Bell - and his coaching staff - has worked hard to instil into this squad.
Sure, they want to win at all costs, but Toland knows that there is another level within the players that they can bring out. And if they do then it could trigger their exciting attackers into full flow at just the right time.
"We are top of the group, which is great, but we want to win the next game and see where we are after that," stated Toland, who plays her club football with Maiden City.
"We know that we can pass the ball around better, relax more and get the ball into girls like Heather (Payne), Carla (McManus) and Alannah (McEvoy) who can put it in the back of the net.
"There is more still to come from us and we are confident that we can improve again. That is what we want to do in the next game and if we do it then we should have the quality to win."
Toland is not one to be caught up in distractions; she confessed to not thinking much about her nomination for Under 16 Women's Player of the Year because of these qualifiers. And it's that kind of attitude that has put Ireland into such a good position in Group 4.
Fixtures
Wednesday, 15 March: Republic of Ireland v Scotland, Gradski Zemum, Serbia, KO 13:00
Saturday, 18 March: Republic of Ireland v Hungary, Gradski Zemum, Serbia, KO 13:00
Tactical Lineups
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
Coach
David Bell
Scotland
Substitutes
- 1 Kiera Gibson (G)
- 2 Jemma Marriott
- 10 Elena Santoyo Brown
- 14 Jenna Clark
- 15 Kirstie McIntosh
- 17 Sara Mcwhirter
- 18 Naomi Welch
Coach
Pauline Hamill
Officials
- Referee Vera Opeykina
- Assistant Referees Sabina Valieva
- UEFA Delegate Nelly Viennot
- Assistant Referee Two Aleksandra Stojanac
- Fourth Official Jelena Cvetković
- Referee Observer Nelly Viennot
Match Statistics
- Republic of Ireland
- Scotland
Minute by Minute Commentary