Republic of Ireland 2 - 0 Czech Republic | 2021 - UEFA Under-19 Championship | 999947855

UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship Round 2 | Opava

6 Apr 2022 17:00

Republic of Ireland 2 - 0 Czech Republic

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REPORT | WU19 2-0 Czech Republic

Two goals from Emma Doherty got the Republic of Ireland Women's Under-19s off to a winning start in Round 2 of the UEFA WU19 European Championship Qualifiers as they beat Czech Republic 2-0 in Opava.

6th Apr 2022

Dave Connell's team set the tempo from early on with Erin McLaughlin wreaking havoc before Aoibheann Clancy and Becky Watkins showed off their incredible capabilities and footwork.

At the other end, Sabina Strizová forced goalkeeper Rugile Auskalnyte into a save on 27 minutes. But it was Ireland who looked more likely to score first with Doherty's running dragging opposition defenders out of position and creating openings for her team-mates to run into.

Scoreless at the break, Connell's team shifted up a gear in the second period and they got the goal that they deserved. On 48 minutes, Doherty raced onto a through ball from Kerryanne Brown, controlled the ball, kept her composure and finished well.

Kate Slevin’s ruthless and powerful defence impressed and was exceptional when paired with Therese Kinnevey. A fantastic collaborative play was made in the 77th minute but Watkins hit the crossbar with her attempt.

The next phase saw the Czech Republic have their most solid chance at goal but Auskalnyte would once again ensure the safety of her team’s clean sheet. A 79th minute substitution saw Maria Reynolds replace Watkins and Muireann Devanney came on for Clancy in the 90th minute.

There was still time for another goal as Doherty got her second with a looping header in added time when she met Jessie Stapleton's free-kick.

Ireland will feel that they can still improve their performance but this was an impressive start with a clash against France on Saturday to come.

Republic of Ireland: Rugile Auskalnyte, Kate Slevin, Shauna Brennan, Della Doherty, Therese Kinnevey, Jessie Stapleton, Becky Watkins (Maria Reynolds), Aoibheann Clancy (Muireann Devanney), Emma Doherty, Erin McLaughlin, Kerryanne Brown.

Czech Republic: Tereza Fuchzonvá, Nikola Prazienková, Radka Lindaková (Tereza Cerná), Klára Duchaková, Radka Hlouchová (Andrea Svibkova) , Sabina Strizová, Lucie Jelinková, Denisa Jonásová (Amálie Koptova),, Sarka Pouvová, Jaroslava Pavlicková.

Referee: Catarina Campos (Portugal).

PREVIEW | WU19 v Czech Republic

Based in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Round 2 of the UEFA Women's Under-19 European Championship Qualifiers kick off on Wednesday. Dave Connell’s Republic of Ireland team will take on hosts Czech Republic for the first of three matches.

6th Apr 2022

Round 1 in October of last year saw the Girls in Green lose to both Switzerland (3-2) and England (1-0) before beating Northern Ireland (2-0). The team continued to prepare throughout the winter and met once again in February where they secured a double victory over Russia in a friendly set of matches based out of Antalya, Turkey.

Looking to the upcoming fixtures, the team look to secure their spot in the 2022 finals tournament. They will kick-off on Wednesday against the home side, Czech Republic. Saturday will see the girls' skills be put to the test as they face the 3rd ranked team in the world, France. Finally, they will face Greece in the last of three games on Tuesday.

With Czech Republic guaranteed a spot in the finals, Ireland must top the group to secure their own place.

Manager Dave Connell updates on how camp is going so far: “The girls are very sharp and that’s been the situation since they arrived in so it’s been very productive so far."

With a large task at hand, Connell is ensuring the team stay focused. “We’re taking each game as it comes. The biggest challenge is the Czech Republic and we’ll deal with the other games once that is finished. It’s trying to get a result whether that’s a draw or even better a win, that would be great. We know it’s difficult, they’re the second seeds, we’re the third seeds so it’s an uphill battle for the week but we’re taking each day as it comes.”

Captain and Wexford Youths star Della Doherty weighs in on the upcoming game: “We’re ready for the game now, I’m looking forward to it and I’m sure all the girls are the same.”

Doherty outlined the approach the team will take come kick-off time. “I suppose every team aims to go into the game to win but on the side of that, we want to get a good performance in and show who we are on the pitch. In the qualifiers we played England and Switzerland and we didn’t get the results but we gave the performances so I think now it’s getting that clean sheet and then I believe that we’re going to score up top so if we get that 1-0, it’s that game management. I think as a team we’ve built character and I think it’s time to show that in the game on Wednesday.”

The match will be available to watch via the Czech Republic FA’s YouTube Channel with a kick-off of 17:00 Irish time.

Republic of Ireland Women's Under-19 Squad
Goalkeepers:Rugile Auskalnyte (DLR Waves), Ciara Glackin (Athlone Town)
Defenders: Abbey Tuthill (Shamrock Rovers), Therese Kinnevey (Galway WFC), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Della Doherty (Wexford Youths), Emma Bucci (South Carolina State), Shauna Brennan (Galway WFC)
Midfielders: Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford Youths), Maria Reynolds (Shamrock Rovers), Kate Slevin (Galway WFC), Eva Mangan (Cork City), Muireann Devaney (Athlone Town), Jenna Slattery (Galway WFC), Emily Corbett (Athlone Town)
Forwards: Emma Doherty (Sligo Rovers), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United), Kerryanne Brown (Derry City), Rebecca Watkins (Wexford Youths), Michelle Doonan (Peamount United)

UEFA WOMEN'S UNDER-19 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
ROUND 2 - GROUP A7

Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic
Wednesday, April 6th
City Stadium, Opava
KO 17:00 (18:00 local time)

France v Republic of Ireland
Saturday, April 9th
Bazaly Stadium, Ostrava
KO 14:00 (15:00 local time)

Greece v Republic of Ireland
Tuesday, April 12th
Bazaly Stadium, Ostrava
KO 14:00 (15:00 local time)