2014 Cyprus Cup - Day 2 Review

THE Irish women’s team have continued their unbeaten start in the 2014 Cyprus Cup after drawing 1-1 against South Korea who are ranked a staggering 16 places above the IRLWNT

The girls in green got off to a promising start again when a long throw in from Megan Campbell found its way into Louise Quinn who headed the ball into the roof of the net, putting Ireland in the lead after just 24 minutes.

However, the South Koreans fought their way back into the game when So Yun Ji turned into the Irish box and fired a shot into the top corner past Emma Byrne for the equaliser in the 38th.

Manager Sue Ronan was thrilled with the result, which means Ireland have a chance to top their group if they win their match against Switzerland (WR22) on Monday March 10.

“I’m very happy. It was another very good performance from the team today. I suppose it is a sign of how far we have come in the last year that we are actually coming off the pitch again today a little disappointed we didn’t win the game,” told Ronan.

Ireland had a number of chances on goal from the likes of Peamount’s Julianne Russell and Eskilstuna United’s Louise Quinn but they were unable to get another name on the score sheet.

“We took the lead in the first half from a very good set-piece, a throw in by Megan Campbell and Louise Quinn got her head to it. But we should have been at least two if not three ahead at that point. We missed a couple of really good chances,” said the manager.

The game also saw goalkeeper Niamh Reid- Burke make her first Senior International debut when she came on in the second half for veteran Emma Byrne.

“But while we were under a lot of pressure in the second half when South Korea turned the screw, and were really moving the ball well and moving it fast and getting into pockets between the lines, I think we coped very well and our goalkeeper Niamh Reid-Burke, who came on at half time didn’t have a save to make.”

No surprises in group A where England triumphed over Finland after Anita Asante put the English women ahead in the 30^th minute. Gemma Bonner headed home a second in the 67^th who’s goal was followed shortly after by Eniola Aluko bringing the final score to 3-0.

Canada are continuing their winning streak after goals from Diane Matheson, Adriana Leon and Karalyn Kyle in the first half puts the CANWNT in poll position to win the tournament. Cristiana Girelli scored Italy’s only goal in the 51^st minute.

Group B saw draws in both games, with Netherlands drawing 2-2 against Australia and France and Scotland tying 1-1.

Switzerland managed to pull a 2-1 victory over New Zealand, despite a goal from Hannah Wilkinson in the 4^th minute putting the All Blacks in the lead early on in the game.

NZ coach Tony Readings told nzfootball: “Switzerland are a really good team, the last game they lost was to us last year at the Cyprus Cup. They’ve beaten teams like Norway and Denmark, real powerhouses of women’s football.

“We felt this would probably be our toughest game and it turned out to be that way and we’ve got to pick ourselves up now.” 

Fixtures for Monday March 10^th:

14:30 England vs Canada (Group A)

14:30 Italy vs Finland (Group A)

14:30 Switzerland vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)

17:30 Netherlands vs France (Group B)

17:30 Australia vs Scotland (Group B)

17:30 South Korea vs New Zealand (Group B)