World Cup Warm-up Report: Republic of Ireland 3 - 2 Zambia

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

The fans in Tallaght got what they wanted with plenty of goals and a 3-2 win for the Girls in Green while Vera Pauw saw her side get a good run out while seemingly avoiding any injuries as the countdown continues to the World Cup.

Amber Barrett’s goal had got Ireland to that tournament and Barrett bagged a brace in this game as Ireland came from a goal down at half time to defeat Zambia with Claire O’Riordan also getting on the scoresheet for the Girls in Green.

When Ireland last played, a Courtney Brosnan goalkeeping error cost them in the 1-0 defeat in America but the Everton netminder can deem herself unlucky that her own goal meant Ireland trailed at the break.

That bad bit of luck was not what she deserved as she had an excellent match pulling off a number of fines saves against a Zambian team with particular goal threats.

The African side, who are also debuting at this upcoming World Cup, showed plenty of attacking threat, especially on the break, with Grace Chandra starting the move for the opening goal in the 19^th minute skipping by a challenge in midfield.

Her pass played in Barbra Banda to the end line and the cut back clipped off Izzy Atkinson onto the post before bouncing out and then back into the net off the helpless Brosnan.

The goalkeeper was called upon to save Ireland on plenty of occasions including in first half injury time but she was well placed then to catch cleanly Chandra’s drilled effort. She had Siomara Mapepa’s shot in the 14^th minute covered as that only hit the side netting.

Ireland did have the ball in the net just after the half hour mark through the lively Liverpool striker Leanne Kiernan but the offside flag was up. She had gone close inside the first two minutes of the match directing a shot just beyond the goal as she made her first start for Ireland for 16 months.

Vera Pauw had deployed her team in a 3-4-3 system with Saoirse Noonan holding the centre up top as she made her first start for the Girls in Green.

When Ireland were sloppy in possession, Zambia looked to punish on the break and only a couple of last ditch tackles from captain Louise Quinn and Niamh Fahey (who got booked for one late on) prevented Ireland going in a couple of goals behind.

Ireland stepped it up in the second half though. Fahey was withdrawn at the break as Ireland made five substitutions including bringing on Erin McLaughlin for her debut – the 21^st new player to line out for Ireland under Vera Pauw.

Barrett came on up front to replace Noonan and it was the hero from Hampden and the World Cup play-off who drew the Girls in Green level four minutes after her introduction.

Abbie Larkin, playing in her club stadium, had a shot blocked in the penalty area by the hand of Evarine Susan Katongo and Barrett, who recently joined Standard Liege, made no mistake slotting home the spot kick for her third international goal.

Ireland took the lead in the 63^rd minute as O’Riordan headed home a delightful right footed free kick from Megan Connolly from wide left. It was a good finish by the Celtic player but she had the freedom of Tallaght to head it home.

Moments later Brosnan did superbly to push out Reachea Kundananji's shot after she beat Heather Payne and soon after Ireland had a two goal lead.

Barrett got her second in the 71^st minute with an astute lob over the stranded Nali in the Zambia goal. Connolly’s corner had been punched clear but Ciara Grant headed the ball to Barrett who was ruthless with the finish.

Brosnan had stopped Barbra Banda when the Zambian striker got in one-on-one in the 76^th minute but three minutes later she was picking the ball out of the back of the net.

The side who finished third in last year’s African Cup of Nations pulled a goal back 11 minutes from time as the impress Reachea Kundananji, who plays with Madrid, slotted a shot below Brosnan after a powerful run.

The Irish squad will get the weekend off before reporting back to training in UCD on Monday.

The final squad for the World Cup, consisting of 23 players (plus three training players), will be confirmed by June 29 ahead of the send-off game in Tallaght Stadium against France on 6 July before the squad departs for the next day.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Niamh Fahey (Harriet Scott 46), Louise Quinn, Claire O'Riordan; Izzy Atkinson (Chloe Mustaki 46), Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn (Ciara Grant 46), Heather Payne; Leanne Kiernan (Erin McLaughlin 46), Saoirse Noonan (Amber Barrett 46), Abbie Larkin (Lucy Quinn 64).
Subs not used: Megan Walsh, Grace Moloney, Diane Caldwell, Hayley Nolan, Jamie Finn, Aine O'Gorman.
Booked: Niamh Fahey (43).

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

Subs not used: Letisha Lungu, Chitete Munsaka, Esther Banda, Mary Mulenga, Mary Wilombe, Avell Chitundu, Hellen Mubanga, Maylan Mulenga, Comfort Selemani, Regina Chanda.
Booked: Evarine Katongo (48).

Referee: Caroline Lanssens (Belgium)
Attendance: 5,732
extratime.com Player of the Match: Amber Barrett (Republic of Ireland)

Boost for the Hoops with positive news on Mannus and Greene https://t.co/b8aQKkx89jpic.twitter.com/AYp7UZ3ZT1

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) June 22, 2023