On a rain sodden night in Rebel County Ireland kept their hopes of automatic World Cup qualifying in their own hands with a 3-2 victory over Netherlands.
Prior to kick off, Carla Ward knew they had to deal without two of Ireland‘s shining lights so far this campaign, Denise O’Sullivan and Emily Murphy were suspended for the encounter at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Carla Ward turned to the tried and tested Ruesha Littlejohn in midfield to partner Megan Connolly. Abbie Larkin, who came in for Kyra Carusa in Poland again deputised, this time in place of Emily Murphy. Ireland were looking to continue their fine form at the Cork Gaelic Athletic Association ground, with two wins from two in recent years.
Arjan Veurink make three changes from the side that drew with France last time out to maintain pole position in the group. Wolfsburg midfielder Ella Peddemors was preferred ahead of Victoria Pelova and as expected, captain Dominque Janssen was restored in defence despite the form of Ajax youngster Renee van Asten. Lize Kop also started between the posts for Netherlands with Daphne van Domselaar missing due to recently undergoing surgery on a persistent issue. Vivianne Miedema and Jill Roord were also absent from the squad.
Earlier in the day France had beaten Poland 2-0, a result that meant Ireland became the first nation promoted to League A to avoid relegation since the start of the Nations League system. At the very least, third place was secured before a ball was kicked in Cork. The result added pressure to Netherlands, who now needed to win to keep their automatic World Cup qualifying fate in the hands. Anything less than victory would cede the ascendency to France while opponents Ireland sought revenge for a late defeat in Utrecht earlier in the year.
The Lineups
IRE: Brosnan; McCabe, Mustaki, Hayes, Patten, Mannion; Connolly, Littlejohn, Sheva; Larkin, Carusa
NED: Kop; Wilms, Janssen, Buurman, Levels; Damaris, Kaptein, Peddemors; Brugts Leuchter, Beerensteyn
The Action
Ireland struggled for territory in the early moments with the Dutch pressing Ireland high up the pitch. The first real sight of goal came from Esme Brugts, cutting inside on the edge of the box, the Barcelona winger curled a vicious effort narrowly wide of the post. Ireland almost seized upon a break of their own with Kyra Carusa threatening in behind, but Veerle Buurman did well to recover and regain possession.
As the Dutch seemed to sit back Ireland pounced, a lovely lobbed ball over the top from Littlejohn found Abbie Larkin. Larkin prodded it into the path of Carusa whose scuffed effort rolled past Lize Kop and into the bottom corner. Netherlands responded in furious fashion, as Lynn Wilms rattled the crossbar from outside the box. Shortly after the Dutch came close again with PSG striker Romée Leuchter nodding just wide.
After half time the match settled into a rhythm with Ireland allowing Netherlands to have possession as they struggled to create the chances they had in the first. However on the turn of the hour, Netherlands had their best chance of the match. An excellent lobbed ball in behind found the feet of Beerensteyn whose shot was blocked by the feet of Courtney Brosnan. Jackie Groenen had come off the bench in the second half and was providing a bite that had been lacking in the Dutch midfield to that point. With just under half an hour to go she took aim from distance and forced Brosnan into another excellent save.
Netherlands broke following Ireland losing the ball up field, this time Beerensteyn drove forward with purpose finding Groenen in the box in front of goal. Mannion slid across, missed the ball and caught the player, penalty to Netherlands. Dominique Janssen stepped up and fired it past Brosnan who got an arm to it but agonisingly failed to prevent the ball crashing against the back of the net. Ireland, refusing to be deterred, flew off from kick off and attacked. Netherlands, dazed at the pace of the attack were unprepared. Marissa Sheva played the ball to Larkin in the box who fired the ball into the back of the net, 2-1. Cue delirium in the Irish crowd.
The lead would last only marginally longer than the Dutch’s. This time it was substitute Victoria Pelova, turning back and forth before arrowing her effort into the back of the net. However the match was due yet another turn in an extraordinary tale, Leanne Kiernan lofted the ball into the box as the clock ticked past 90. Anna Patten headed the ball down and Amber Barrett prodded the ball home from the far post. Ireland’s hopes of automatic qualification remained alive and kicking.
Ireland Player Ratings
GK: Courtney Brosnan – 8.5/10 – Touched the ball onto the bar to maintain Ireland’s lead in spectacular style. Confident and proactive in dealing with danger. Made another brilliant save from point blank range to deny Beerensteyn in the second half and to save from Groenen from distance. Desperately unlucky not to save the penalty after getting a hand to it.
RWB: Aoife Mannion– 6/10 – Mannion did well up against the talented wingers of the Netherlands. Gave away a reckless penalty to give the Dutch a route back into the match.
RCB: Anna Patten – 8.5/10 – Was comfortable in the conditions and made a number of excellent challenges, supported Mannion in defence well. Assisted the winner
CB: Caitlin Hayes – 9/10 – Made an excellent early sliding block to clear from a Brugts cross. Aggressive in the tackle she ensured Leuchter had no time to think on the ball. Put her body on the line for Ireland tonight.
LCB: Chloe Mustaki – 7.5/10 – Did well to manage an early counter attacking chance with Beerensteyn threatening in behind. Was unable to halt the second Dutch goal.
LWB: Katie McCabe– 7/10 – Made a delightful backheeled pass inside her own box that came off but might have given Ireland fans a fright. Pushed high up the pitch when Netherlands had possession in their own half. Delivery into the box wasn’t at it’s usual high standard and at times did not track back as she should have.
CM: Megan Connolly – 8/10 – Was solid in the middle of the park for Ireland, made a sliding challenge to deny a counter in the latter stages that got the crowd on their feet.
CM: Ruesha Littlejohn – 7.5/10 – Created a couple of excellent chances with perfectly weighted balls into the box. Came into the match off the back of precious little game time, showed that rust at times but also demonstrated the undeniable talent she’s always possessed.
CM: Marissa Sheva – 9/10 – Won an early throw in against the odds that gave the crowd something to cheer after a difficult start. Linked up Ireland’s play from the early moments, chased lost causes and found the ball.
ST: Abbie Larkin – 9/10 – Assisted Carusa’s opening goal her spark of pace kept Netherlands honest in defence, linked up with the midfield exceptionally at times. Showed some excellent moments of close control to beguile Dutch defenders. Scored an excellent second goal for Ireland.
ST: Kyra Carusa – 9/10 – A mature head for Ireland, kept possession early on instead of going for goal when Ireland had been under the cosh. Carusa opened the scoring with a scuffed effort that found the net, it was the fortune her excellent hold up play and defending from the front had richly deserved.
SUBS
Jess Ziu – 8/10 – (Littlejohn 46′) – Worked extremely well in the midfield to link up the attacks. Calm and composed in possession, even with her back to goal and under pressure.
Amber Barrett – 8/10 – (Carusa 75′) – Did exactly what her manager brough her onto the pitch to do, gave Ireland the lead. Great hold up play at the end.
Leanne Kiernan – 6.5/10 – (Larkin 76′) – Kiernan came on and ran herself ragged for Ireland, her ball into the box led to Ireland’s third. She was dismissed for a high boot, could have few complaints.
Saoirse Noonan – N/A – (Connolly 85′) –
Netherlands Player Ratings
GK: Lize Kop – 4/10 – Kop had a poor game, conceded from each of Ireland’s three shots on target.
RB: Lynn Wilms – 8/10 –Rattled the crossbar with an brilliant effort from outside the box, was one of the players that demonstrated real attacking impetus.
RCB: Dominque Janssen – 6.5/10 – Scored from the spot to level the match, struggled to deal with the Irish attack.
LCB: Veerle Buurman – 7/10 – Played well and matched the aggression of the Irish frontline.
LB: Janou Levels – 6.5/10 – Did not seem up for the challenge the conditions and the opposition posed.
CM: Damaris Egurrola – 6/10 – Came off shortly after half time as Netherlands looked to their attacking depth. Looked frustrated before coming off.
CM: Wieke Kaptein – 5.5/10 – Ineffectual, was a passenger in this one.
CAM: Ella Peddemors – 6/10 – Took a hit at the end of the first half that looked painful. Was hooked early in the second half with her side trailing.
LW: Lineth Beerensteyn – 6.5/10 –Her pace in behind is a constant threat, but she struggled for involvement in the first half. Missed a golden opportunity in the second.
RW: Esme Brugts – 7/10 – Looked a threat especially in the early moments of the match, but faded.
ST: Romée Leuchter – 5.5/10 –Lost the ball on the edge of her own box and handed Ireland their first moment of threat unnecessarily. Missed a couple of glorious chances in the first half.
SUBS
Jackie Groenen – 8/10 – (Damaris 56′) – Changed the game, injected a tenacity that had been missing from the Dutch showing to that point.
Marissa Olislagers – 6/10 – (Levels 56′) –Came on and took a number of set pieces to little effect.
Daniëlle van de Donk – 6.5/10 – (Peddemors 56′) – Helped Netherlands move the ball better in midfield.
Liza Rijsbergen – 6/10 – (Leuchter 75′) – Had little impact on the match.
Victoria Pelova – 8/10 – (Kaptein 75′) – Made an instant impact off the bench and scored a fine goal.
