Niamh Fahey delighted after an emphatic victory

Chelsea Ladies ran out comfortable victors in their last 32 UEFA Women’s Champions League tie with Glasgow City and after the game Ireland international Niamh Fahey spoke to Extratime.ie about her sides performance and the upcoming Euro 2017 qualifier against Portugal.

“Yeah, definitely a good performance,” she said when asked if she was happy after her sides’ impressive 3-0 victory on Wednesday evening.

“I think 1-0 at home things were still in the balance, it was good to get the three goals and put the tie bed and I think it was a good performance by the girls.”

Wednesday's game also saw the sides clash on Airdrie FC’s 3G pitch and Fahey explained there was a huge difference compared to the grass pitches they’re used in WSL 1, but the English champions adapted well to the conditions  and used them to their advantage.

"It is a good bit different, it's always quicker on Astro and you play a different style of game, more balls to feet rather than in behind because the ball travels - we’ve played on it before so the girls are used to it as well.”

“Yeah, exactly,” she said when it was pointed out that Eniola Aluko, Fran Kirby and Ji So Yun appeared to relish Wednesday’s playing conditions. “The Astro plays quick so anyone with a bit of pace, it's going to suit them really so the benefits were with our team, especially with our front four, they’re all very pacey so it was a good surface for us to play on.”

With a 3-0 victory, Fahey’s side recorded a sixth straight clean sheet and the defender is hoping they can extend this record in the last 16, however, she is also quick to credit the Chelsea shot-stopper who was forced to make some a brilliant save from a Clare Shine effort.

“Hopefully we can continue the good run, obviously we’ve Hedvig [Lindahl] behind us keeping the clean sheet record going with some worldie [saves], so it’s good to keep it tight at the back and hopefully we can keep that defensive unit going.”

As the Champions League takes a break, Fahey will join up with the Ireland National Team ahead of their trip to Portugal and when asked if the clash with fourth seeds was a must win the defender revealed it is important they left with a result.

“It’s important we get a result. I don’t know if it’s a bit early to be calling it a must win, but I think it's crucial we get some points on the board and it will be a tough one against Portugal. We’ve put the Finland game behind us and everyone is looking forward to try and get some points against Portugal.”

In their opening qualifier, Ireland fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Finland in front of 2905 people at Tallaght Stadium and Fahey was disappointed her side could not get a result after such a great atmosphere. Despite the recent home defeat, Fahey is hoping the girls in green will receive a similar response when they welcome Spain to Tallaght next month.

“It was very disappointing, the support was great and it really gave us a boost on the night so everyone was really disappointed they couldn’t make it a good celebratory night for the crowd. I think we played very well, we were really pushing for them goals, but it just didn’t come off for us on the night. It was a great crowd and hopefully they’ll be like that again for your next home game”

You can read Aaron Clarke’s match report from Glasgow City FC 0-3 Chelsea Ladies FC by clicking (here)