Vera Pauw is looking forward to a big Sweden test after Ireland finished third in Spain
Ireland 1 Wales 0
The Republic of Ireland finished third in the Pinatar Cup in La Manga, Spain after this competent victory over a poor Welsh outfit.
Denise O’Sullivan’s 17th international goal was created by Cork No 10’s quick thinking to pick up a sloppy clearance before dropping a right-footed shot into the top corner.
“Denise is so versatile,” said Irish manager Vera Pauw. “We need her to play deeper but she has done really, really well when we need her to play behind the striker. Today it showed once again that she is at a very high level.”
In addition to Kyra Carusa’s early miss, after rounding off Welsh goalkeeper Olivia Clarke just to shoot outside, Ireland showed a worrying ability to sit back and invite their opponents on.
Not that Wales ever looked to equalize as Pauw continued to use this tournament for talent like Abbie Larkin, with the 16-year-old introduced to Carusa at half-time, as 24 players took part in the three matches.
“The key for very young players is that they can handle the opponent’s physical pressure and that is what we constantly monitor,” Pauw explained when asked about the selection for the World Cup qualifiers in Sweden on April 12.
“In terms of trust and technology, they are very good. On the ball, Ellen Molloy is extremely good but defensively she needs to learn a lot because she plays in midfield.
“The offensive midfielder’s defensive role in the modern game is huge.”
Molloy and Brighton’s goalkeeper Megan Walsh were the prominent starters during Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Russia, but Pauw considered Shelbourne’s Jessica Ziu the most improved player of the past week in La Manga.
“Everyone can see how well Jessica Ziu is doing at the moment. She really takes another level because she grew up playing with boys. You can see she never panics.
“We will see if she starts against Sweden, but based on what she showed, she is ready for it. We will see if we choose Jessica or Aine O’Gorman, who have enormous experience, but they are very close to each other. ”
IRELAND: Brosnan (Everton); Fahey (Liverpool), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), McCarthy (Galway WFC); Ziu (Shelbourne), O’Sullivan (NC Courage), Littlejohn (Aston Villa), McCabe (Arsenal); Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Carusa (HB Koge), Payne (FS Seminoles).
Subs: Larkin (Shelbourne) for Carusa (half time), Badana (DLR Waves) for Brosnan, Kiernan (Liverpool) for Payne (both 63), Barrett (FC Koln) for Lucy Quinn (85).