“It’s about Sweden now” – Ireland star Denise O’Sullivan draws attention to the World Cup clash after a successful trip to Spain
Irish star Denise O’Sullivan says that Vera Pauw’s team has already parked its performance in third place at the Pinatar Cup tournament in Spain to focus on the next big challenge, against Sweden in the World Cup qualifiers.
“Sullivan scored the only goal of the match when Ireland beat Wales in Spain in a play-off in third place, which ended a good week in the invitational tournament for the Irish team which included a victory over Poland.
But O’Sullivan knows that the Swedes, ranked as the second best team in the world, at home in April will be a tougher test.
“This week was all about Sweden, all our focus was on that,” said O’Sullivan, who returned to the starting eleven against Wales after being left out of Saturday’s match against Russia, a 1-0 loss, to give winger playing time. .
“It was also fantastic to rotate the team in the second match, get more confidence in the girls who enter the Sweden match, it’s about Sweden now and we can take a lot of positive out of it, we are in a really good place. It was a fantastic week, to end it on top with this win. “
O’Sullivan’s goal in the 25th minute gave Ireland the lead but they could not score again.
“I thought we were really good in the first half, in the second half we lowered the level a bit, we went a long way and did not really take control of the match, but I am really proud of the hard work with everyone on the pitch, we look forward Sweden now, that is the main thing, she added.
“It was a nice shot of the ball, I looked at it, I knew she would record it in the defensive midfielder, I just threw myself at it, took a touch and just hit it, I was happy to get on result book, it was a good achievement.
“I play as a 6th at club level and I just got the call from the Vera top there and I think it was just to take more control of the game, get on the ball, try to get into the game, I tried to do it.
“I think I got more of the ball in the first half, it passed me by in the second half, but it’s about the team and the team did great.”
Pauw had made a number of changes ahead of Saturday’s clash with Russia in the tournament, but the big names returned for the third-place play-off against the Welsh, and their presence allowed the republic to dominate from an early stage.
Ireland were at the forefront after 25 minutes and, deterred by anything of a late upswing, including an 89th minute appeal for a penalty after an obvious handball by Savannah McCarthy, Wales posed no major danger to either goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan or her substitute. Eve Badana.
The lack of a threat from Wales was largely due to the work of the Irish midfield, as the central pair O’Sullivan and Ruesha Littlejohn controlled the midfield and never gave Wales time to breathe.
Wales had barely gotten into the game when Kyra Carusa had a chance, in two minutes, when she rounded the goalkeeper but sent her shot into the side netting, and O’Sullivan had a chance after 10 minutes but was off target.
Carusa was there again to threaten the Welsh after 21 minutes and got her head to a Heather Payne cross, but after 25 minutes Ireland had their well-deserved lead.
Wales gave Ireland possession a sluggish pass outside the defense from Rhiannon Roberts, O’Sullivan took control and with her second touch she shot home.
It should have been 2-0 in the 29th minute, when Katie McCabe’s post fell kindly for Carusa but a clean shot went wide.
Wales had a couple of good opportunities to reply, but the home team’s keeper Niamh Fahey just wouldn’t surrender.
Carusa was replaced at half-time by teenager Abbie Larkin, with playing time off the bench also for Leanne Kiernan and goalkeeper Badana.
McCarthy was close with a header in 58 minutes, again the ball sent in by captain McCabe while Larkin burst forward and shot barely outside in 75 minutes.
Lucy Quinn could have doubled the Irish lead in 83 minutes just for her nod to miss the target, while Wales appealed for a penalty late when McCarthy blocked the line but the referee stood firm, as did the Irish zero.
Wales: Olivia Clark; Charlie Estcourt, Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Evans (Anna Filbey 60), Rachel Rowe (Lily Woodham 60); Ceri Holland (Elise Hughes 70), Sophie Ingle, Angharad James, Ffion Morgan (Kayleigh Green 70); Jess Fishlock (Helen Ward 70); Natasha Harding (Georgia Walters 60).
Ireland: Courtney Brosnan (Eve Badana 63); Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy; Jess Ziu, Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe; Heather Payne (Leanne Kiernan 63), Lucy Quinn (Amber Barrett 85); Kyra Carusa (Abbie Larkin 46).
Judge: Bockova Miriama (Slovakia).