Wales 0 - 1 Republic of Ireland | 2020 - Senior Women's Friendlies | 999947789

Senior Women's Friendlies Pinatar Cup | La Manga

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Wales 0 - 1 Republic of Ireland

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REPORT | Wales 0-1 WNT

A Denise O'Sullivan goal ensured the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team recorded a 1-0 win over Wales to finish in third place in the Pinatar Cup.

22nd Feb 2022

Having beaten Poland and narrowly losing to Russia, Vera Pauw's team were moved to the Pinatar Arena for this Play-Off game that Ireland deservedly won.

Inside the opening five minutes, Kyra Carusa was presented with a fantastic opportunity to break the deadlock when tipping the ball past Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark but her shot from an angle hit the side netting.

Carusa would go close again, this time with a header when meeting a corner kick, while Wales star Jess Fishlock saw an effort from distance blocked by Niamh Fahey.

On 25 minutes, O'Sullivan was quickest to react to a loose ball on the edge of the area and she smashed in a superb strike to record her 17th senior goal.

Niamh Fahey should have made it 2-0 just before the interval when she found herself unmarked at a corner kick but the Centurion headed over the bar.

Teenager Abbie Larkin replaced Carusa at the start of the second period and it was more of the same from Ireland as they rolled out their controlled game-plan - working on both sides of the ball.

Wales tried their luck from distance on 55 minutes when captain Sophie Ingle unloaded a shot but it clipped the crossbar and went over, not troubling goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.

Just past the hour mark, Ireland introduced goalkeeper Eve Badana for her fourth senior appearance and first game since 2013.

Pauw's team looked sharp on the attack with McCabe fizzing a shot wide and Larkin taking aim from around 25 yards out. Then Lucy Quinn headed over 84 minutes from inside the penalty area.

This was the type of performance that Pauw wanted from her players and it should aid their preparation for their next FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifier away to Sweden in April.

Wales: Olivia Clark; Charlie Estcourt, Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Evans (Anna Filbey 60), Rachel Rowe (Lily Woodham 60); Ceri Holland (Elise Hughes 70), Sophie Ingle, Angharad James, Ffion Morgan (Kayleigh Green 70); Jess Fishlock (Helen Ward 70); Natasha Harding (Georgia Walters 60).

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan (Eve Badana 63); Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Jess Ziu, Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O'Sullivan, Katie McCabe; Heather Payne (Leanne Kiernan 63), Lucy Quinn (Amber Barrett 85); Kyra Carusa (Abbie Larkin 46).

Referee: Bockova Miriama (Slovakia).

PREVIEW | Wales v WNT

The Republic of Ireland will take on Wales in a Third-Place Play-Off in the Pinatar Cup on Tuesday afternoon as they look to close out the tournament on a high.

21st Feb 2022

The game has been moved from La Manga to the Pinatar Arena, kicking off at 14:30 Irish time, ahead of the Final between Belgium and Russia.

It will be live streamed via FAITV.

Team News
Goalkeeper Grace Moloney (shoulder) is ruled out of the game but Heather Payne has overcome a groin injury to be available.

Quotes
Republic of Ireland WNT Manager Vera Pauw
"We are looking forward to the game against Wales, which will close out the Pinatar Cup and a very productive week for our squad. Our intention was always to use this week to work hard on what we will need to call on when we play Sweden in our next FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifier in April.

"The performances against both Poland and Russia were very good and it was particularly crucial that we got to have a closer look at many players in the Russia game. Developing all of the players is part of our journey and makes us stronger overall with more options in every position that we know that we can rely on.

"This past week has been fantastic in adding to our development and the hard work put in by the players and the staff is key to that. Part of that is ensuring that we manage the load put on the players so that they do not pick up new injuries but also that they are given the required time to recover from previous injuries. That is why we did not risk Megan Campbell and why Chloe Mustaki will not feature against Wales, even though she did so well in our last game.

"It is so important that we follow the return to play protocols to safeguard the players' future and not take unnecessary risks. The players understand that and we continue to work with them so that we do not cause any further damage.

"We will not underestimate Wales but we look forward to playing another good game and focusing on our key objectives."

Previous Meetings vs Wales
P15 W11 D3 L1

Republic of Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Eve Badana (DLR Waves)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Manchester United), Claire Walsh (Glasgow City), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United), Chloe Mustaki (Shelbourne)
Midfielders: Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Rangers), Jess Ziu (Shelbourne), Ellen Molloy (Wexford Youths), Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Kyra Carusa (HB Hoge), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

2022 Pinatar Cup Fixtures
16 February
Match A1 | Wales 3-1 Scotland, Pinatar Arena
Match A2 | Slovakia 0-4 Belgium, Pinatar Arena
Match B1 | Republic of Ireland 2-1 Poland, La Manga
Match B2 | Hungary 2-2 (0-3 pens) Russia, La Manga

19 February
A3 | Wales 0-0 (1-3 pens) Belgium, Pinatar Arena
A4 | Scotland 2-0 Slovakia, Pinatar Arena
B3 | Russia 1-0 Republic of Ireland, La Manga
B4 | Poland 1-2 Hungary, La Manga

22 February
Final | Belgium v Russia, Pinatar Arena, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
3rd Place | Wales v Republic of Ireland, Pinatar Arena, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)
5th Place | Scotland v Hungary, La Manga, KO 20:30 (19:30 Irish Time)
7th Place | Slovakia v Poland, La Manga, KO 15:30 (14:30 Irish Time)