A goal in each half by the Netherlands consigned the Republic of Ireland Women's team to defeat in a friendly played in Velsen today (Sunday)...

Women's Senior International Friendly

Netherlands 2-0 Republic of Ireland

A goal in each half by the Netherlands consigned the Republic of Ireland Women's team to defeat in a friendly played in Velsen today (Sunday).

Sue Ronan, interim manager of the Irish team, utislised the game to prepare for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Israel which will be played in Ferrycarrig Park and the Carlisle Grounds, Bray on August 21 and 25 respectively.

Although the Irish came up against a strong Dutch side who, unlike most of the Girls in green, were in season, the game was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests with Stephanie Roche having a penalty saved at 1-0.

Ireland striker Fiona O'Sullivan posed a big threat to the Dutch as the lead striker in Ronan's 4-3-3 formation and the Cork native was the focal point for the attack in the opening half hour.

However, just as Ireland seemed to be gaining a stranglehold, a defensive mix-up on 32 minutes undid their promising opening as they conceded a sloppy opener.

Less than a minute later, the visitors were handed a lifeline when Stephanie Roche was hauled down inside the penalty area as she charged clear on goal.

But the resultant spot-kick, struck by Roche, didn't carry the desired accuracy and the goalkeeper denied the Raheny United player. That miss appeared to unsettle Ireland and they didn't regain the tempo set earlier in the game.

American-born Shannon Smyth from Norwegian club Donn Toppfotball marked her senior debut with a superb display in midfield and will push for a place in the line-up for Saturday's qualifier against Russia in Wexford.

Ireland's regular outlet in the second half as they chased an equaliser was Aine O'Gorman and she had the beating of her full-back on numerous occasions without unduly testing the hosts' goalkeeper.

As Ireland pressed for that leveller, gaps emerged on the pitch for the Dutch to exploit and they did so with devastating pace four minutes from the finish to notch their second.

Sue Ronan was not too despondent with the result, saying afterwards: "It was disappointing to lose the game given the good performance from the Girls. We had a lot of the possession and the Dutch scored against the run of play in the first half. Sadly, our penalty wasn't converted but I felt the team kept their shape well and gave them a real test.

"Most of our players are out of season and it showed towards the end as they tired. The Dutch were much sharper in the final third of the pitch. It was a useful exercise for the final matches of the qualifying campaign over the next ten days.

"The squad will reassemble on Tuesday and the few days ahead of Saturday's qualifiers will allow us important time on the training pitch to prepare."

Republic of Ireland: Emma Byrne; Mary McDonnell, Niamh Fahey, Yvonne Tracy, Ciara McCormack; Aine O'Gorman, Sonya Hughes (Lynn Marie Grant 73), Ciara Grant (Jemma Connor 62), Shannon Smyth (Shannon McDonnell 77); Fiona O'Sullivan, Stephanie Roche (Meabh de Burca 45).

Result and Fixtures:
Sunday, August 15, 2010
International friendly
Netherlands 2-0 Republic of Ireland
Velsen

Saturday, August 21, 2010
FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier
Republic of Ireland v Russia
Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford
Kick-off: 15.00

Wednesday, August 25, 2010
FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier
Republic of Ireland v Israel
Carlisle Grounds, Bray
Kick-off: 19.30.