IrishFootballOnline.com » The unofficial and Independent Irish Football website.

Irish women secure win in Romanian heat

Saturday 25th August 2007, 3:20 pm

Two early goals from Stephanie Curtis gave Ireland a 2-0 win in the heat of Mogosoaia in Romania this morning. The win lifts Ireland second in the European Women's Championship qualifying campaign.

Curtis broke the deadlock after only 12 minutes as she chipped past the advancing Romanian keeper following Olivia O'Toole's perfect through ball from midfield.

Curtis got her second just two minutes later after another superb ball from midfield, this time from Sonya Hughes picked her out and Curtis again beat the keeper with a high finish to the net.

Ireland kept the pressure on and O'Toole was unlucky not to score after twenty minutes as home keeper Lenuta Pop pushed the ball behind for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, Niamh Fahey went agonisingly close with a free header.

Romania improved in the closing minutes of the first half but struggled to create anything of note.

After the break Ireland were back on the front foot and O'Toole clipped an upright before the ball went behind after breaking in on goal after some slack defending.

Inside the opening ten minutes of the second period, Romania's Laura Roxana unleashed a dangerous swerving shot which narrowly missed Emma Byrne's goal but the home side were leaving bigger and bigger gaps at the back. Curtis could have grabbed a hat-trick as she stole in on another excellent through ball from O'Toole but this time the home keeper stood up and pulled off a fine save.

Sharon Boyle made a vital last ditch tackle to halt the progress of Sarghe in the closing fifteen minutes as she threatened inside the Irish box. Had Romania grabbed a goal back at that stage then maybe the closing minutes wouldn't have been as comfortable for Ireland.

As is was, the Irish defence stood resolutely as Romania tried desperately to grab some consolation.

Irish manager Noel King was understandably delighted with the result and the performance, "We always knew this was a key fixture for our campaign but to get a start like that after only 14 minutes is fantastic, the girls here today are a credit to their clubs and country, conditions were incredibly difficult and to perform like they did today was impressive".

"I could single out every player for their performance, the defence was outstanding and kept the pressure off our goal, we always looked dangerous on the break as they committed more players to attack, the fitness levels of all the players was a huge bonus for us," he added.

King applauded the decision of switching the kick-off to avoid the intense heat, "For me, this was the key game in the group that would go a long way to decide our final placing; today's weather was definitely a factor for both teams. The decision to change the kick-off time to 10.30 am was necessary as I don't think either team could have coped with this heat wave later in the day."

Goalscorer Stephanie Curtis paid tribute to her team-mates after the game, "It's always nice to score for your country and I think it's good to take the pressure of the strikers from time to time, especially Olivia (O'Toole) who has scored so many times for us. Looking at the group table, this win sets us up nicely, after three games we have six points and we will be quietly confident of pulling off an upset in finishing in 2nd place for a play-off spot."

Curtis believes the win was hugely important, "We came to Bucharest with just one ambition, to get the three points and that for me is job done. It was definitely a great performance today but I was very impressed that with just 20 minutes to go, when people are getting tired, our defence stood firm and did not allow Romania any room, I think that shows the great team spirit that we have in the camp."

Republic of Ireland:
Emma Byrne (Arsenal)
Niamh Fahey (Salthill Devon)
Alisha Moran (NY Athletic)
Sharon Boyle (Raheny United)
Marie Curtin (Lifford)
Michelle O'Brien (Long Island Lady Riders)
Ciara Grant (Arsenal)
Sonya Hughes (Balbriggan FC)
Stephanie Curtis (Bristol Academy)
Aine O'Gorman (Stella Maris)
Olivia O'Toole (Raheny United)

Substitution
Laura Hislop (Newbridge) for O'Toole 62 Mins

Unused substitutes
Noelle Murray (Raheny United)
Sarah Peters (Seattle Sounders)
Emma Griffin (Benfica)
Meabh DeBurca (Salthill Devon)
Yvonne Tracy (Arsenal)
Grace Murray (Dundalk City Womens)