Rep of Ireland 0-1 Switzerland (Women)
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Swiss substitute Jehona Mehmeti's 25 yard strike gave the visiting side a slender win over Ireland tonight at Richmond Park. Switzerland were impressive in the manner of their win, after going down 5-0 to Scotland just last week.
Ireland probably had the better first half on the balance of play, but were unable to finish off any chances they created. After eight minutes Stephanie Roche floated her free-kick across goal, where Ciara Grant's slight touch sent it just wide.
After 26 minutes, Aine O'Gorman missed Ireland's best chance of the half. Right in front of goal, the Doncaster player just failed to connect with a cross from her captain Ciara Grant. O'Gorman threatened the Swiss goal again two minutes later with a cross close to the Swiss goal which was awkwardly gathered by Swiss 'keeper Marisa Brunner.
Switzerland had a few chances of their own in the first half. Selina Zumbuehl shot feebly at goal on 23 minutes when presented with the ball in an excellent position, after the ball was worked in to her superbly along the ball. Three minutes later a quick break presented them with another chance. A low ball from the left found Sandy Maendly, but her shot was harmless.
Ireland began the second half by squandering another good chance. Fiona O'Sullivan held the ball up before passing for Grace Murray. Murray spotted Shannon Smith on a darting run forward and played a neat pass down the wing. Smith raced in unmarked toward the Swiss but shot disappointingly wide.
Minutes later Ireland were made to rue their missed chances when substitute Jehona Mehmeti put the visitors ahead. A cross in from the right was headed up in the air by Ciara Grant. Basel player Mehmeti struck the ball brilliantly when it fell at her feet, to send it past Emma Byrne and into the bottom right corner.
Marisa Brunner was Switzerland's saviour on a few occasions, and proved her worth again on 73 minutes. Niamh Fahey shot hard at goal after O'Sullivan squared the ball to her on the edge of the Swiss box. Brunner dived acrobatically through the air to push the ball wide though.
In stoppage time at the end of the match, Fiona O'Sullivan could have levelled the match. She did well to cut inside the Swiss box after latching on to a long ball upfield from substitute Marie Curtin. O'Sullivan pulled her shot wide of the far post though and the Swiss went away with the narrowest of victories from this friendly encounter.
Ireland Emma Byrne, Mary Therese McDonnnell [Shannon McDonnell '67], Grace Murray, Louise Quinn [Megan Campbell '62], Yvonne Tracy, Niamh Fahey, Ciara Grant (c) [Marie Curtin '63], Aine O'Gorman [ Julie-Anne Russell HT], Fiona O'Sullivan, Shannon Smith, Stephanie Roche. SUBS NOT USED: Niamh Reid Burke, Diane Caldwell, Sonya Hughes, Mary Waldron, Dora Gorman.
Yellow Cards:Mary Therese McDonnell.
Switzerland: Marisa Brunner, Andrea Marie Egli, Sandra Betschart, Rahel Graf, Martina Moser, Sandy Maendly, Isabelle Mayer, Ana Maria Crnogorcevic [Lara Keller HT], Lia Waelti [Jehona Mehmeti HT], Caroline Abbe (c), Selina Zumbuehl [Marina Keller '68]. SUBS NOT USED: Gaelle Thalmann, Nicole Remund, Daniela Schwarz, Pascale Kueffer. Yellow Cards: None.
Referee: Rhona Daly (Ireland).
Attendance:400 (unofficial estimate)
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Martina Moser
Ireland probably had the better first half on the balance of play, but were unable to finish off any chances they created. After eight minutes Stephanie Roche floated her free-kick across goal, where Ciara Grant's slight touch sent it just wide.
After 26 minutes, Aine O'Gorman missed Ireland's best chance of the half. Right in front of goal, the Doncaster player just failed to connect with a cross from her captain Ciara Grant. O'Gorman threatened the Swiss goal again two minutes later with a cross close to the Swiss goal which was awkwardly gathered by Swiss 'keeper Marisa Brunner.
Switzerland had a few chances of their own in the first half. Selina Zumbuehl shot feebly at goal on 23 minutes when presented with the ball in an excellent position, after the ball was worked in to her superbly along the ball. Three minutes later a quick break presented them with another chance. A low ball from the left found Sandy Maendly, but her shot was harmless.
Ireland began the second half by squandering another good chance. Fiona O'Sullivan held the ball up before passing for Grace Murray. Murray spotted Shannon Smith on a darting run forward and played a neat pass down the wing. Smith raced in unmarked toward the Swiss but shot disappointingly wide.
Minutes later Ireland were made to rue their missed chances when substitute Jehona Mehmeti put the visitors ahead. A cross in from the right was headed up in the air by Ciara Grant. Basel player Mehmeti struck the ball brilliantly when it fell at her feet, to send it past Emma Byrne and into the bottom right corner.
Marisa Brunner was Switzerland's saviour on a few occasions, and proved her worth again on 73 minutes. Niamh Fahey shot hard at goal after O'Sullivan squared the ball to her on the edge of the Swiss box. Brunner dived acrobatically through the air to push the ball wide though.
In stoppage time at the end of the match, Fiona O'Sullivan could have levelled the match. She did well to cut inside the Swiss box after latching on to a long ball upfield from substitute Marie Curtin. O'Sullivan pulled her shot wide of the far post though and the Swiss went away with the narrowest of victories from this friendly encounter.
Ireland Emma Byrne, Mary Therese McDonnnell [Shannon McDonnell '67], Grace Murray, Louise Quinn [Megan Campbell '62], Yvonne Tracy, Niamh Fahey, Ciara Grant (c) [Marie Curtin '63], Aine O'Gorman [ Julie-Anne Russell HT], Fiona O'Sullivan, Shannon Smith, Stephanie Roche. SUBS NOT USED: Niamh Reid Burke, Diane Caldwell, Sonya Hughes, Mary Waldron, Dora Gorman.
Yellow Cards:Mary Therese McDonnell.
Switzerland: Marisa Brunner, Andrea Marie Egli, Sandra Betschart, Rahel Graf, Martina Moser, Sandy Maendly, Isabelle Mayer, Ana Maria Crnogorcevic [Lara Keller HT], Lia Waelti [Jehona Mehmeti HT], Caroline Abbe (c), Selina Zumbuehl [Marina Keller '68]. SUBS NOT USED: Gaelle Thalmann, Nicole Remund, Daniela Schwarz, Pascale Kueffer. Yellow Cards: None.
Referee: Rhona Daly (Ireland).
Attendance:400 (unofficial estimate)
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Martina Moser
About Niall Farrell
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