Unlucky Under17’s out of World Cup
Credit:
The Republic of Ireland Under-17 women have been eliminated from the 2010 FIFA Womens World Cup despite a battling performance against Japan on Friday night.
Having topped their group ahead of Ghana, Brazil and Canada, they were handy a tricky quarter-final tie against Japan.
The Irish girls began the game the stronger of the two teams, dominating the opening exchanges and not allowing their opponents to get any rhythm into their play. Japan striker Yokoyama then tested Grace Moloney in the Irish goal but the keeper made a good save.
Ireland controversially fell behind after 34 minutes when the retreating Megan Campbell tackled striker Yokoyama in the penalty area. What looked an excellent challenge from the full back was deemed a foul and Canadian referee Michelle Pye pointed to the spot, to the disbelief of the distraught Campbell, and her team mates. Maomoto stepped up and fired the ball past the out-stretched arm of keeper Grace Moloney.
Japan took charge after the goal with Ireland holding on at times, especially with Japans attacking prowess on their left side being exploited. Grace Moloney was kept busy to keep the score at 1-0. Ireland began the second half on the offensive. Two free kicks though, one each from Gleeson and Campbell, both failed to hit the target.
Eight minutes into the second half Ireland grabbed an equaliser. Stacie Donnelly played the ball over the top for O'Sullivan to chase. Goalkeeper and defender collided on the edge of the box allowing Denise O'Sullivan to nip in, hold off the defender and fire the ball into the empty net.
Fourteen minutes later and after a sustained period of pressure from the Irish, Japan hit them on the break. A long kick out from Japan keeper Hirao deep into the Irish half set Yokohama on a one-on-one with defender Ciara O’Brien, and the tricky striker held off O’Brien, turned and fired an unstoppable strike past Grace Moloney to regain the advantage.
With nine minutes remaining, Ireland had a glorious chance to grab an equaliser. Rianna Jarrett squared the ball to Stacie Donnelly on the edge of the six yard box with just the keeper to beat but, having taken too long, her tame shot was easily blocked by the closing Hirao and the change was gone.
And so the Republic of Ireland Under-17 women’s tournament comes to the end. The side, who nobody expected to do so well, have shown that they are a talented and committed team whose performances have shown that a place in the World Cup is much deserved. For Noel King, it will be a sad way to end his term as boss, but he will no doubt have nothing but praise for his players after a tremendous tournament.
Republic of Ireland Under-17 Women’s team v Japan: Grace Moloney, Ciara O'Brien, Megan Campbell, Jessica Gleeson, Jennifer Byrne, Ciara Grant, Aileen Gilroy, Dora Gorman (C), Denise O'Sullivan, Siobhán Killeen, Stacie Donnelly.
Substitutes Zoe Boyd, Rianna Jarrett, Tanya Kennedy, Kerry Glynn, Amanda Budden, Claire Shine, Harriet Scott, Rebecca Kearney, Jillian Maloney, Emma Hansberry.
Japan: Eri Hirao (C), Naoka Wada, Ayu Nakada, Hikaru Naomoto, Yoko Tanaka, Haruna Kamashima, Tomoko Kawashima, Haruka Hamada, Hikari Takagi, Chika Kato, Kumi Yokoyama.
Substitutes: Serina Kashimoto, Mami Kanazawa, Yume Nagasawa, Mai Kyokawa, Mina Tanaka, Arisa Mochizuki, Yuka Honda, Ami Goto, Hikari Nagashima, Isayo Mita
Referee: Michelle Pye (Canada)
The Irish girls began the game the stronger of the two teams, dominating the opening exchanges and not allowing their opponents to get any rhythm into their play. Japan striker Yokoyama then tested Grace Moloney in the Irish goal but the keeper made a good save.
Ireland controversially fell behind after 34 minutes when the retreating Megan Campbell tackled striker Yokoyama in the penalty area. What looked an excellent challenge from the full back was deemed a foul and Canadian referee Michelle Pye pointed to the spot, to the disbelief of the distraught Campbell, and her team mates. Maomoto stepped up and fired the ball past the out-stretched arm of keeper Grace Moloney.
Japan took charge after the goal with Ireland holding on at times, especially with Japans attacking prowess on their left side being exploited. Grace Moloney was kept busy to keep the score at 1-0. Ireland began the second half on the offensive. Two free kicks though, one each from Gleeson and Campbell, both failed to hit the target.
Eight minutes into the second half Ireland grabbed an equaliser. Stacie Donnelly played the ball over the top for O'Sullivan to chase. Goalkeeper and defender collided on the edge of the box allowing Denise O'Sullivan to nip in, hold off the defender and fire the ball into the empty net.
Fourteen minutes later and after a sustained period of pressure from the Irish, Japan hit them on the break. A long kick out from Japan keeper Hirao deep into the Irish half set Yokohama on a one-on-one with defender Ciara O’Brien, and the tricky striker held off O’Brien, turned and fired an unstoppable strike past Grace Moloney to regain the advantage.
With nine minutes remaining, Ireland had a glorious chance to grab an equaliser. Rianna Jarrett squared the ball to Stacie Donnelly on the edge of the six yard box with just the keeper to beat but, having taken too long, her tame shot was easily blocked by the closing Hirao and the change was gone.
And so the Republic of Ireland Under-17 women’s tournament comes to the end. The side, who nobody expected to do so well, have shown that they are a talented and committed team whose performances have shown that a place in the World Cup is much deserved. For Noel King, it will be a sad way to end his term as boss, but he will no doubt have nothing but praise for his players after a tremendous tournament.
Republic of Ireland Under-17 Women’s team v Japan: Grace Moloney, Ciara O'Brien, Megan Campbell, Jessica Gleeson, Jennifer Byrne, Ciara Grant, Aileen Gilroy, Dora Gorman (C), Denise O'Sullivan, Siobhán Killeen, Stacie Donnelly.
Substitutes Zoe Boyd, Rianna Jarrett, Tanya Kennedy, Kerry Glynn, Amanda Budden, Claire Shine, Harriet Scott, Rebecca Kearney, Jillian Maloney, Emma Hansberry.
Japan: Eri Hirao (C), Naoka Wada, Ayu Nakada, Hikaru Naomoto, Yoko Tanaka, Haruna Kamashima, Tomoko Kawashima, Haruka Hamada, Hikari Takagi, Chika Kato, Kumi Yokoyama.
Substitutes: Serina Kashimoto, Mami Kanazawa, Yume Nagasawa, Mai Kyokawa, Mina Tanaka, Arisa Mochizuki, Yuka Honda, Ami Goto, Hikari Nagashima, Isayo Mita
Referee: Michelle Pye (Canada)
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