Republic of Ireland 0 - 1 Sweden | 2023 - FIFA Women's World Cup | 999947156

FIFA Women's World Cup | Tallaght Stadium

21 Oct 2021 19:00

Republic of Ireland 0 - 1 Sweden

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Lineups
Minute by Minute Commentary
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REPORT | WNT 0-1 Sweden

Luck was against the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team as an own goal saw them slip to a 1-0 defeat at home to Sweden in Tallaght Stadium.

21st Oct 2021

A crowd of 4,017 witnessed an entertaining duel between the team ranked No 2 in the world and Vera Pauw's side, who showed that they can match top-level opponents.

This was Ireland's first game as part of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying - after their original opener away to Georgia was rescheduled - and they can be proud of their performance.

Even though the Sky Ireland Player of the Match award went to goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, who made five big saves, and the home side didn't cut Sweden open too often, this was a game where they stood toe to toe with a vastly experienced opponent.

Ultimately it was an own goal that came off Louise Quinn that settled matters with a mis-hit pass from Stena Blackstenius being diverted into the Irish net by the Wicklow native on 39 minutes.

That goal was so unfortunate for Ireland to concede as they had matched Sweden in every area and even gave them a couple of scares, particularly when Katie McCabe fizzed a shot wide from distance.

There were a couple of cries for penalties, from both sides, but referee Deborah Anex was not convinced. The play, instead, continued with Sweden attempting to break Ireland down and the hosts trying to fight back into the contest.

The introductions of Leanne Kiernan and Amber Barrett gave Ireland some energy late on but they could not create the type of goalscoring opportunity that their overall play deserved.

Cork native Saoirse Noonan came on in the remaining minutes to make her senior debut, but the game was over and Sweden took the three points.

Pauw's team will now travel to Helsinki to take on Finland on Tuesday, October 26th, where another big performance will be required.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Katie McCabe, Áine O’Gorman; Jamie Finn (Leanne Kiernan 74), Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan; Lucy Quinn (Saoirse Noonan, 93), Heather Payne (Amber Barrett 74).

Sweden: Hedvig Lindahi; Jonna Andersson, Magdalena Eriksson, Amanda Ilestedt, Hanna Glas; Filippa Angeldal, Fridolina Rolfo, Hanna Bennison (Julia Zigiotti Olme 76); Lina Hurtig (Olivia Schuh 61), Stina Blackstenius, Sofia Jakobsson (Nilla Foscher 89).

Referee: Deborah Anex (Switzerland).

PREVIEW | WNT v Sweden

The Republic of Ireland’s Women's National Team get their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying campaign started on Thursday night when they host Sweden in Tallaght Stadium.

20th Oct 2021

All tickets for the game have already been snapped up, with the capacity capped due to COVID-19 restrictions, while it will be broadcast live on RTÉ2.

Ireland were meant to have played Georgia in their opening Group A game last month but that was rescheduled until June 2022. So their preparation for this opener has been a little longer and included the friendly win over Australia.

Vera Pauw's squad will follow this game with a trip to Helsinki to take on Finland on Tuesday, October 26th, but the focus is very much on making a positive start to qualifying.

TEAM NEWS
Midfielder Roma McLaughlin was added to the squad after Kyra Carusa withdrew through injury.

QUOTES
Republic of Ireland Manager Vera Pauw
"This game marks the beginning of a new campaign. It also represents a point where a lot of hard work has led us to with friendly games against teams ranked in the Top 20 of the world - Denmark, Belgium, Iceland & Australia. We believe that we have benefitted greatly from testing ourselves against quality opposition and that those games will help us in our pursuit of qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

"The target for us is to qualify. We fully understand how difficult our group is with four tough opponents in Sweden, Finland, Slovakia and Georgia. But we must believe in ourselves, work as hard as we can, and show the world that we are ready for this.

"Sweden are a fantastic team. They finished as runners-up in the Tokyo Olympics and are ranked second in the world. We know all about their quality but it is up to us - as a team collectively - to embrace this challenge. We hope that playing in front of our fantastic fans will also help us.

"I've said it so many times and every time I feel it in my bones: the Irish fans are really special! There is no doubt that they help to drive the team on during difficult periods and inspire them to keep working hard. It definitely had an impact in our win over Australia and I hope to experience the same again in front of a sold-out crowd."

SQUAD LISTS

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Grace Moloney (Reading), Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Eve Badana (DLR Waves), Amanda Budden (Shelbourne)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Éabha O'Mahony (Boston College), Áine O'Gorman (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford Youths), Jessica Ziu (Shelbourne), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State University), Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
Forwards: Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Rianna Jarrett (London City Lionesses), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

Sweden
Goalkeepers: Jennifer Falk (BK Hacken), Hedvig Lindahl (Atletico Madrid), Zecira Musovic (Chelsea)
Defenders: Jonna Andersson (Chelsea), Nathalie Bjorn (Everton), Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea), Nilla Fischer (Linkopings), Hanna Glas (Bayern Munich), Amanda Ilestedt (Paris-Saint Germain), Emma Kullberg (BK Hacken), Emma Berglund (Rosengard)
Midfielders: Elin Rubensson (BK Hacken), Filippa Angeldahl (Manchester City), Filippa Curmark (BK Hacken), Anna Anvegard (Everton), Olivia Schough (Rosengard), Hanna Bennison (Everton), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (BK Hacken)
Forwards: Stina Blackstenius (BK Hacken), Rebecka Blomqvist (Vfl Wolfsburg), Lina Hurtig (Juventus), Sofia Jakobsson (Bayern Munich), Madlen Janogy (Hammarby), Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona), Julia Zigiotti Olme (BK Hacken)

CAPS LIST
Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Grace Moloney (5 Caps / 0 Clean Sheets), Courtney Brosnan (5 Caps / 1 Clean Sheet), Eve Badana (3 Caps / 0 Clean Sheets), Amanda Budden (1 Cap / 1 Clean Sheet)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (21 Caps / 0 Goals), Niamh Fahey (95 Caps / 0 Goals), Diane Caldwell (84 Caps / 3 Goals), Louise Quinn (87 Caps / 12 Goals), Claire Walsh (3 Caps / 0 Goals), Savannah McCarthy (5 Caps / 0 Goals), Áine O'Gorman (108 Caps / 13 Goals), Éabha O'Mahony (3 Caps / 0 Goals)
Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (85 Caps / 12 Goals), Megan Connolly (29 Caps / 1 Goal), Jamie Finn (6 Caps / 0 Goals), Ciara Grant (15 Caps / 0 Goals), Niamh Farrelly (4 Caps / 0 Goals), Aoibheann Clancy (0 Caps / 0 Goals), Jess Ziu (4 Caps / 0 Goals), Roma McLaughlin (6 Caps / 0 Goals), Katie McCabe (53 Caps / 10 Goals)
Forwards: Heather Payne (19 Caps / 1 Goal), Rianna Jarrett (15 Caps / 1 Goal), Amber Barrett (24 Caps / 3 Goals), Saoirse Noonan (0 Caps / 0 Goals), Leanne Kiernan (21 Caps / 4 Goals), Lucy Quinn (1 Cap / 0 Goals)

MEDIA GUIDE
Click here to view the Media Guide for the Republic of Ireland WNT

TEAM INITIATIVES
WNT partner with Cadbury Ireland
Support shown for Breast Cancer Awareness
Promotion for Irish Book Week

VIDEO PLAYLIST
Jamie Finn Interview
Louise Quinn Interview
WNT Book Club: Episode 2
Guess Who: Amber Barrett v Rianna Jarrett
Guess Who: Áine O'Gorman v Niamh Farrelly
Team-mates: Claire Walsh and Niamh Fahey

MATCH DETAILS
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifier - Group A
Republic of Ireland v Sweden
Thursday, October 21
Tallaght Stadium
KO 19:00
LIVE on RTÉ2
Referee: Deborah Anex (Switzerland)

SOCIAL MEDIA
Game Hashtag: #IRLSWE
Team Hashtag: #COYGIG