Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 France | 2021 - UEFA Under-19 Championship | 999947856

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

9 Apr 2022 14:00

Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 France

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REPORT | France 3-0 WU19

The Republic of Ireland Women's Under-19s fell to a 3-0 defeat to France in Group A of their UEFA WU19 European Championship Qualifier in Czech Republic.

9th Apr 2022

France, who are ranked third in the world at this level, immediately gained composure in the game and took the lead in the 10th minute with Manssita Traore firing in for Les Bleus.

Dave Connell's team - who beat Czech Republic in their opening qualifier - started to implement their game plan as the game settled down. They moved the ball well and nullified a strong French team for long periods.

France, however, showed their class Kysha Sylla stretching their opponent in the final third as she set up multiple chance on goal that they failed to convert.

There was a chance for Aoibheann Clancy to pocket the first goal for the Girls in Green in the 20th minute but it unfortunately soared over the crossbar. An impressive attempt at goal came soon afterwards from Kerryanne Brown but she could not find the back of the net.

Connell reacted at the interval by making three substitutions, but before they had a chance to find their rhythm they conceded a penalty that Vicky Becho fired in. Trailing by two goals, it would be a long way back against such a strong opponent.

But if there is a hallmark of Connell's teams it is their fighting spirit and that was on show in the final period as they pushed France all of the way. That spark in front of goal was just missing but they gave it everything.

France wrapped up the win in the 74th minute when Jade Nassi slid a ball through the legs of goalkeeper Rugile Auskalnyte to make it 3-0 and effectively send them through to the Finals tournament in May.

Ireland will have to go again on Tuesday when they face Greece in Ostrava, Czech Republic with a kick-off time of 14:00.

France: Ines Marques, Sarah Kassi, Lou Bogaert, Thiniba Samoura, Vicky Becho (Laurina Fazer 68), Mégane Hoeltzel (Cyrille Blanc 75), Kysha Sylla, Léna Borges (Jade Nassi 68), Inés Kbida, Pauline Haugou (Louna Ribadeira 46), Manssita Traore.

Republic of Ireland: Rugile Auskalnyte, Kate Slevin (Emma Bucci 46), Shauna Brennan, Della Doherty, Therese Kinnevey, Jessie Stapleton, Aoibheann Clancy (Michelle Doonan 73), Emma Doherty (Emily Corbet 77), Erin McLaughlin, Kerryanne Brown (Becky Watkins 46), Muireann Devaney (Maria Reynolds 46).

Referee: Alina Peşu (Romania).

PREVIEW | France v WU19

With a 2-0 victory over hosts Czech Republic on Wednesday, the Republic of Ireland Women's Under-19s will look to secure a second win over France this Saturday.

9th Apr 2022

Dave Connell’s side took a comprehensive win in their first match of Round 2 in the UEFA WU19 European Championship Qualifiers. It was Sligo Rovers’ Emma Doherty who scored both goals with notable performances from several players. They will look to continue this high standard of play as they approach Saturday’s game.

Vice-Captain and SSE Airtricity Women’s National League champion, Jessie Stapleton, gave her thoughts on the game: “We got the result in the end and it wasn’t a pretty match but the girls stuck to the game plan and Emma Doherty obviously put two good finishes away.”

Young Player of the Year Aoibheann Clancy followed: “Any time you come out with three points you’re happy, especially in tournament football. I think it was maybe turned into a battle at times, a bit scrappy,but we just had to win our battles and take our chances when they came and I think we did that.”

The two are not naive to the standard they have set and the challenge ahead taking on France. Stapleton weighed in on the upcoming game by saying: “France are a tough opposition, obviously they won in the past couple of years and they’re the holders of it but I have every belief in all the girls and with the coaches and the game plan we have going into it we’ll just stick by that and hopefully get the results we got against Czech Republic.”

Clancy followed suit: “They’ll definitely be a challenge, France are a great side. They have top players but I think if we implement the game plan that we’re trying to stick to and come out with a good performance then the result will hopefully take care of itself."

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 Corbet (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

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