A Lineth Beerensteyn double ensured the Netherlands bounced back with victory against Ireland in Utrecht on Saturday night.
At the venue of the opening match of UEFA EURO 2017, Netherlands welcomed Ireland for both side’s second match of FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying. After a bright start from Ireland on the night, Netherlands imposed their dominance on the first half. Lineth Beerensteyn ensured they went in at half time with something to show for it but Ireland fought back. In the second half a dubious penalty was dispatched by Katie McCabe before Beerensteyn won it for the Dutch.
Ireland had travelled to Utrecht without one of their star players in Denise O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan was ruled out due to an issue with her MCL that reoccurred against France. Hayley Nolan was also unavailable after picking up an injury in training. xIreland made one change to the side that narrowly lost 2-1 to France on Tuesday replacing Denise O’Sullivan was replaced by Lucy Quinn in the line up. Katie McCabe was also set to walk a tightrope having picked up a yellow card against France, another yellow in Utrecht would mean she would miss the match in Gdańsk.
For Netherlands, Arjan Veurink confirmed yesterday he was selecting his starting eleven from a full compliment. The only issue of note was that Caitlin Dijkstra and Jackie Groenen would be suspended against France in April if they received another yellow card. The Dutch made three changes to the side that fell to a disappointing 2-2 draw at Poland. Lynn Wilms who came on at half time against Poland replaced Kerstin Casparij in the starting side. The other two changes saw PSG striker Romée Leuchter in for Esme Brugts while Caitlin Dijkstra dropped out with Marisa Olislagers starting. That saw Veerle Buurman move into centre back and Olislagers pushed out wide.
The Lineups
IRE: Brosnan; McCabe, Mustaki, Hayes, Patten, Mannion; Connolly, Quinn, Sheva; Murphy, Carusa
NED: Kop; Wilms, Janssen, Buurman, Olislagers; Kaptein, Roord, Damaris, Miedema; Leuchter, Beerensteyn
The Action
With the first five minutes it was Ireland who created the first big chance. After great work from Kyra Carusa to win a corner, the result was a dangerously deep delivery swung into the box from McCabe. Caitlin Hayes rose highest to direct her header on target, and only the knee of Lynn Wilms prevented an Irish lead. Shortly after, Carusa had a looping effort over the keeper redirected wide seemingly by a Dutch defender but no corner was given.
Netherlands were beginning to warm up into the game as the first half evolved. A speculative effort from FC Twente’s Jill Roord missed the mark but was a reminder of the quality in the Dutch ranks. With just under 10 minutes on the clock, Netherlands split Ireland open for the first time. A cunning reverse pass from Wieke Kaptein found Lineth Berrensteyn who took advantage of Anna Patten stepping up. Mannion tracked back and did just enough to put the Wolfsburg striker off with Courtney Brosnan smothering the ball at her feet.
With just under 20 minutes played the home side found the break through. The interplay in the lead up to the goal was sublime, with Kaptein, Roord and Wilms combining to find space in the Irish box between McCabe and Chloe Mustaki. Wilms rolled a teasing ball across the face of goal, landing at the feet of Beerensteyn who made no mistake to tap home.
After the goal the Oranje Leeuwinnen played with their tails up, playing keep ball in midfield. On the 30 minute mark Olislagers whipped a ball into the box that evaded all but Brosnan who swept the ball away in unorthodox but effective fashion. Ireland had moments in the lead up to half time. Lucy Quinn found space on the edge of the box and her cross come shot whistled past the far post. Damaris Egurrola floated a ball towards the back post which Aoife Mannion struggle to intercept, it fell to the feet of Beerensteyn whose effort was well saved by Brosnan.
Ireland started the second half on the front foot, winning an early corner. Whipped in by Megan Connolly the ball was cleared, it came to McCabe who returned the ball dangerously into the box. Lize Kop and Anna Patten battled for it in the box, Patten got to the ball first and the referee adjudged Kop to have fouled the Aston Villa defender. McCabe stepped up, and sent Kop the wrong way, Spurs against Arsenal and the Gunner prevailed.
Netherlands should have taken the lead just before the hour mark. A lovely move found Vivianne Miedema in space in the box, Miedema could only loft the ball over the bar with the goal gaping. The Dutch were getting closer and a string of corners piled further pressure on Carla Ward’s charges. Ireland were a threat on the counter and Megan Connolly shot from distance with 20 minutes to play was stopped by Kop.
The Dutch retook the lead with just under 10 minutes remaining, the corner, played into the box by substitute Esme Brugts caused chaos. After an initial punch by Brosnan was ineffective Beerensteyn redirect the ball home, 2-1 to the home side much to the delight of the Utrecht crowd. Ireland pushed in search of an equaliser bringing Abbie Larkin and Saoirse Noonan off the bench to join Amber Barrett up top. It was not enough for Ireland who fell to their second defeat in a row, while Netherlands picked up their first win.
Ireland Player Ratings
GK: Courtney Brosnan – 6.5/10 – Did well to smother the ball at the feet of Beerensteyn early in the second half. Made a couple of vital saves in the first half to keep things tight. Perhaps should do better on the second goal, was lucky not to concede after a poor pass gifted Netherlands a chance late on they really should have taken.
RWB: Aoife Mannion– 6.5/10 – Mannion had trouble dealing with Beerensteyn who found space in behind the Newcastle striker. Mannion kept at it and had some positive moments going forward.
RCB: Anna Patten – 8/10 – Won the penalty that gave Ireland the equaliser always such a threat in the box for Carla Ward’s side. Got her head on almost everything that came into the Irish box.
CB: Caitlin Hayes – 7.5/10 – Headered Ireland’s best chance of the first half, blocked by Wilms, made an excellent early block from a Miedema strike. Like Patten was excellent in the air.
LCB: Chloe Mustaki – 7.5/10 – Supported McCabe well, Netherlands found space between Mustaki and McCabe for the opening goal but the pair did well to close that space off in the rest of the match. Had a couple of smart moments in possession playing herself out of trouble.
LWB: Katie McCabe– 7.5/10 – Made a couple of rash challenges in the first half considering her precarious position on a yellow card. Cold as ice from the spot, sending Kop the wrong way.
CM: Megan Connolly – 7/10 – Was involved in a lot of the good work that Ireland did going forward. Set piece deliveries not quite up to her usual standard.
CM: Lucy Quinn – 6.5/10 – Created a good opportunity that just missed the far post at the end of the first half. A tough match to come into after struggling for game time at Birmingham City, equipped herself well.
CM: Marissa Sheva – 6.5/10 – Worked hard against a world class midfield that faced her at times the midfield. Netherlands by passed the Irish midfield a couple of times too easily.
ST: Emily Murphy – 8/10 – Chased lost causes and at times caught them, short bursting dribbles in midfield provided much needed respite at times for Ireland in the first half. Picked up a poor yellow card.
ST: Kyra Carusa – 7/10 – Won Ireland their first corner of the match with some excellent centre forward play.
SUBS
Amber Barrett – 6.5/10 – (Quinn 66′) – Worked hard up front after coming off the bench.
Abbie Larkin – 6.5/10 – (Carusa 84′) – Did not have a huge amount of time to impact proceedings, got her foot on the ball to no avail.
Saoirse Noonan – N/A – (Sheva 90′) –
