Borges brace sinks Ireland's hopes

A spirited performance wasn't enough as Ireland lost out to a superior Portuguese side today in the Algarve Cup. A brace from Zaragoza striker Ana Borges cancelled out Louise Quinn's earlier goal for Ireland and sent the hosts through on top of group C.

Quinn's 29th minute goal was sandwiched in between the Borges double. The clinical striker gave the hosts a dream start after just seven minutes, and for a time it looked like Portugal might push on and reach the level which saw them thrash Hungary 4-0. 

But Ireland gradually eked their way back into the match. Despite the constant threat of Borges, and Portugal's frequently successful raids down the left wing, Ireland played to their strengths. Down the middle they eventually began to dominate, with Ciara Grant- winning her 98th cap for her country- imposing herself on the game. 

Peamount's Sara Lawlor and Grace Murray had to come off early through injury, but it was another representative of the Women's National League leaders who put Ireland level. Louise Quinn jumped salmon-like to get to the ball before powerfully heading it in on 29 minutes. 

But just as space began to free up after the Irish goal, the match became bogged down in midfield. The rest of the half was dominated by occasional breaks, with Emma Byrne having to clear the ball in a hurry on more than one occasion. Portugal always looked more incisive, and began the second half well. 

Aine O'Gorman, a half time introduction for Dora Gorman, looked like she just might be able to break down the Portuguese defence- but again and again the hosts were too quick to counter. Emma Byrne had to come out of her box just after the hour mark to shepherd the ball away from an attacker- leading to some appeals for a penalty- but Byrne was fair and efficient in her clearance. 

Some half chances for Fiona O'Sullivan followed, but you got the feeling that if Ireland were to score it was unlikely to come from open play. Portugal, on the other hand, still had that cutting edge but were let down frequently by their passing.

After 75 minutes a Portuguese counter-attack came good to put the game, and Ireland's hopes, to bed. After a bit of Irish pressure, a lofted ball over the top gave Borges something to run onto just to the right of goal. Borges showed off the cheetah-like pace which has seen her star in the Spanish Primera Division by beating both defenders to the ball before slotting in coolly past Byrne and into the bottom left corner. 

Wales' win against Hungary today means that they top the group, setting up a match against Norway for seventh place. Portugal, who qualify as runners-up, will play China for ninth. And on the same day Germany and Japan play each other for the Cup, Ireland play Hungary again- this time to avoid the wooden spoon.

Ireland: Emma Byrne, Sophie Perry, Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Grace Murray, Ciara Grant, Dora Gorman, Denise O'Sullivan, Sara Lawlor, MIchelle O'Brien, Julie-Ann Russell.