Ireland swept past Kazakhstan at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday night with a 4-0 win on the night, winning the tie 12-0 on aggregate.
In front of a crowd of 10,334, Jessie Stapleton, Katie McCabe, Lucy Quinn and Denise O’Sullivan were all on target for Ireland on the night with Kazakhstan improving, but ultimately offering little in an attacking sense. Carla Ward made four changes from the Ireland side that dismantled Kazakhstan 8-0 in Astana on Friday night. Chloe Mustaki dropped out of the squad entirely after her Player of the Match performance in the first leg. As expected Katie McCabe, Denise O’Sullivan returned to the starting side. Kyra Carusa and Caitlin Hayes were rested with Hayley Nolan coming in at centre back, starting her first match for Ireland since Hungary last November. Shanade Hopcroft replaced Jamie Finn in midfield for her first Ireland start after scoring with her first touch off the bench in Astana.
The other half of Ireland’s play off draw was a far tighter affair, 2-2 on aggregate after 180 minutes, a goal a piece in extra time sent it to penalties and it was Poland who emerged victorious in Gdańsk. That means it will be Poland that face Ireland in December for a place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Lineups
IRL: Brosnan; McCabe, Nolan, Stapleton, Patten, Mannion; Connolly, O’Sullivan, Hopcroft; Larkin, Murphy
KAZ: Portnova; Babshuk, Nizamutnova, Nurusheva, Vlassova, Burvora; Turlybekova, Zhumabaikyzy, Gaistenova; Bibossynova, Satygallyeva
The Action
Within minutes Ireland’s Abbie Larkin almost had the ball in the back of the net, but her sliding effort was stopped by Angelina Portnova in goal for the visitors as the ball looked to be deflected in it was cleared off the line, With 15 minutes on the clock Anna Patten played O’Sullivan into space on the right side of the box, she threaded the ball across the box tantalizingly as the ball evaded Abbie Larkin’s outstretched boot. The ball came to McCabe who could only lift it hopelessly over the bar, an excellent score had it been another sport played on this hallowed Rebel County turf. Ireland were struggling to find the same zip and intensity that seemed to come by so naturally in Astana.
The combination of O’Sullivan and Larkin seemed close to bearing fruit when in the 32nd minute O’Sullivan cut the ball back to Larkin whose effort was well stopped by Portnova. Portnova was called upon once again shortly after as Emily Murphy cut inside and fired on goal with the Kazakh shot stopper palming it away. With five minutes to play before half time Ireland did get their opener. Anna Patten picked up the ball on the right side, her inviting ball was fearsomely met by the head of Jessie Stapleton racing in from the back post, heading home into the bottom corner.
After making two half time changes Ireland looked much more fluid and within minutes of the restart Ireland doubled their lead on the night. Emily Murphy played the ball inside and Katie McCabe calmly directed the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box. Ireland came close to adding a third after good dribbling from Murphy ended with an offload to the onrushing Marissa Sheva, her outside of the boot effort bounced off the post. Another substitute did get Ireland’s third after excellent work from Tyler Toland to ghost into the box, Lucy Quinn cut inside and fired the ball into the bottom corner for 3-0.
It was Cork native Denise O’Sullivan who made it four, after an excellent through ball on the ground from Amber Barrett, Stapleton was unable to find the net as Portnova denied her but the ball bounced to O’Sullivan who fired home. Ireland came close to adding a few more with Nolan stepping up and testing Portnova from distance but 4-0 was enough as Ireland confirmed their place in the next round.
Ireland Player Ratings
GK: Courtney Brosnan – 6/10 – Had precious little to do throughout for Ireland against a flagging Kazakhstan.
RWB: Aoife Mannion– 6.5/10 – Mannion advanced forward but her crossing was not at the level it had been in Astana.
RCB: Anna Patten – 7.5/10 – Impressed with her ability to pick a pass in the final third, picked out Stapleton for the first goal. Came off at half time.
CB: Hayley Nolan – 6.5/10 – Did what was required of her as she tended to be the player furthest back in the pitch for Ireland. Swept up when required, it was rarely required. Fired a fierce shot from range late on that needed saving from a busy Portnova.
LCB: Jessie Stapleton – 7/10 – Scored an excellent header from a late run into the box from the left side, her second in as many starts. Misplaced a number of passes in the second half, could have had hat-trick.
LWB: Katie McCabe– 7/10 – Had some classy touches and passes that opened up space for Ireland. Scored a lovely goal just after half time.
CM: Denise O’Sullivan – 8/10 – Looked fleet of foot, dancing through challenges with the ball at her feet found space time and again in the Kazakh box. Scored a richly deserved goal in front of a delighted home crowd.
CM: Megan Connolly – 6/10 – Moved to centre back in the second half after starting the match in midfield.
CM: Shanade Hopcroft – 6/10 – Hit the post with a glancing header late in the first half, didn’t have the same impact as she had for Ireland on her debut against Kazakhstan in the first leg.
ST: Emily Murphy – 7/10 – Had one of those nights where the ball just doesn’t quite fall for her in front of goal but she helped create for others, setting up McCabe’s first.
ST: Abbie Larkin – 7/10 – Hustled and harried throughout with some exceptional close control with the ball at her feet. It didn’t go her way in front of goal tonight
SUBS
Marissa Sheva – 8/10 – (Hopcroft 46′) – Came off the bench with a point to prove after Hopcroft started ahead of her, injected urgency into the side and won the ball back quickly a number of times. She was bright in attacking areas too, rattling the post midway through the second half.
Tyler Toland – 7.5/10 – (Patten 46′) – Worked hard in midfield alongside Sheva to help Ireland play with more industry. Set up Lucy Quinn’s goal in the second half.
Amber Barrett – 7/10 – (Larkin 62′) – Should have had an assist after setting up Stapleton with an exceptional pass on the ground.
Lucy Quinn – 7.5/10 – (Mannion 63′) – Continued her excellent form from club level on the international stage rubber-stamping it with a goal.
Kyra Carusa – N/A – (Murphy 82′) –
