Carla Ward issued a rallying cry after Ireland’s 2-1 loss to the Netherlands, stating Ireland ‘have to keep building despite ‘sickening’ Dutch defeat.
Ireland had drawn themselves level in the second half through a Katie McCabe penalty. However the Netherlands roared on by a partisan crowd in Utrecht were able to gather themselves and steal a winner.
Carla Ward spoke to the media after another encouraging performance but a second defeat in a week to top opposition.
Carla Ward proud Ireland ‘limited’ Netherlands to ‘very little’
Ireland fought hard and defender bravely against the 11th ranked side in the world. Eventually efforts to take victory were fruitless, Ward explained her thoughts on the match,
“It’s tough to take, sickening really” Ward admitted.
“Over the last four days we’ve played two of the best teams and been disappointed not to get something. They’ve left everything out there.
“We pride ourselves on set-pieces and it’s just two moments in two games.
First goal it’s a moment isn’t it and overall we limited them to very little.
“We saw the dark arts from them. We started the game very well, almost got something from the first two corners.
“And then Katie McCabe gets us back into the game. How do we win the game? I thought we could win the game, then the corner comes and you’re chucking bodies on. We have to keep building..
“There were a few funny decisions out there tonight.”
What’s next for Ireland?
Next up for Ireland is a vital double header against Poland, first, Carla Ward’s side travel to Gdańsk on 14th April. That’s before Ireland will welcome Nina Patalon’s charges to the Aviva Stadium four days later.
Poland who got an encouraging 2-2 draw against Netherlands on Tuesday fell to a 4-1 defeat to France on Saturday night.
