Republic of Ireland 3 - 2 Zambia | 2023 - Senior Women's Friendlies | 999948616

Senior Women's Friendlies International Friendly | Tallaght Stadium

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Republic of Ireland 3 - 2 Zambia

Report
Preview
Lineups
Minute by Minute Commentary
Statistics
Gallery

REPORT | WNT 3-2 Zambia

Ireland continued their FIFA Women's World Cup build-up in some style at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night with a 3-2 win over Zambia thanks to a brace from Amber Barrett and Claire O’Riordan’s first international goal.

22nd Jun 2023

Ireland started well with early chances falling for Leanne Kiernan, who volleyed wide after just two minutes, and Claire O’Riordan, who lifted her shot over the bar after a scramble in the penalty area.

But it was Zambia who took the lead in the 16th minute. Barbra Banda hooked the ball across the goalmouth and a deflection off Atkinson took it onto the near post before bouncing into the net off ‘keeper Courtney Brosnan.

The Girls in Green went into the break a goal behind but it didn’t take long to draw level after the restart. On 49 minutes Larkin’s shot was handled and sub Amber Barrett rolled the penalty home.

Ireland went ahead 14 minutes later when Claire O’Riordan got her first senior international goal, heading home from a free kick. And eight minutes after that Barrett scored her second, clipping a beautifully judged shot over Hazel Nali in the Zambia goal.

Zambia pulled one back 11 minutes from time when Racheal Kundananji turned Heather Payne, outpaced Harriett Scott and drove a powerful shot low past Brosnan, setting up an intense final ten minutes.

But despite some frantic play in the final stages Vera Pauw’s side protected their lead to register a winning start to their World Cup build up.

Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Niamh Fahey (Harriett Scott 46), Louise Quinn, Claire O’Riordan; Heather Payne, Ruesha Littlejohn (Ciara Grant 46), Megan Connolly, Izzy Atkinson (Chloe Mustaki 46); Abbie Larkin (Lucy Quinn 64), Saoirse Noonan (Amber Barrett 46), Leanne Kiernan (Erin McLaughlin 46).

Zambia: Hazel Nali; Margaret Belemu, Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba (Vast Phiri 67), Judith Soko; Xiomara Mapepa (Ochumba Oseke 67), Susan Banda (Rhoda Chileshe 67), Susan Katongo, Evarine Rachael Kundananji; Grace Chanda; Barbra Banda.

Referee: Caroline Lanssens (Belgium).

PREVIEW | WNT v Zambia

All tickets are sold out for the return of the Ireland Women’s National Team to Tallaght Stadium to take on Zambia in an International Friendly.

21st Jun 2023

The Thursday night encounter – which will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 – is the penultimate game for Vera Pauw’s on home soil before they depart for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

MATCH DETAILS
International Friendly
Ireland v Zambia
Thursday, June 22
Tallaght Stadium
KO 19:30
LIVE on RTÉ2

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Caroline Lanssens (Belgium)
Assistant Referee: Irmgard van Meirvenne (Belgium)
Assistant Referee: Melissa Leiear (Belgium)
Fourth Official: Jana van Laere (Belgium)

TEAM NEWS
Isibeal Atkinson comes into the squad, while Megan Campbell will not be involved as she continues with her return to play periodisation plan.

MANAGER QUOTES – Vera Pauw
“This will be our first home game in nine months, so we are looking forward to playing in front of our amazing fans again. All of the tickets are sold out so we would encourage everyone to turn up to Tallaght Stadium to cheer on the team in what is an important game for our preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“We started our training camp on June 12 with a very detailed programme for our players to ensure their safety on returning to play from club action and holidays. Now, we must use this game to rise up to the challenge of one of Africa’s best teams.

“The reason we chose to play against Zambia is because we have Nigeria in our World Cup Group so we must be ready for that type of opponent. This game also adds to our preparation plan for the tournament and gives us an opportunity for players to get back onto the pitch again.”

NOTES

This will be the first meeting of the two nations at Senior Women’s level
Zambia are just the third African opponent that Ireland WNT will have faced following on from games against South Africa (Cyprus Cup) and Morocco (International Friendly)
There are 55 places between the two games in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings as Ireland are in 22nd place while Zambia are in 77th
Zambia, just like Ireland, will be making their FIFA Women’s World Cup debut this summer
This game will be Vera Pauw’s 30th in charge of Ireland, since her appointment in September 2019
This will be the first game included in the WNT Season Ticket Package, which was sold to over 1,200 fans

IRELAND WNT SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)

Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Áine O'Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Megan Campbell (Liverpool), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Tara O'Hanlon (Peamount United)

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Isibeal Atkinson (West Ham United), Erin McLaughlin (Peamount United)

Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC)