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Details
Date | Time | League | Season |
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15 June 2021 | 6:00 pm | Women's Senior | 2020/21 |
Match Report
Second half brace hands Iceland victory
Ireland’s miserable run of form continued as they lost their seventh consecutive game tonight in Rejkavik, 2-0 courtesy of Berglind Bjorg Thorvaldsdottir’s and Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir’s second half goals.
The visitors improved from their poor display in last week’s 3-2 loss to Iceland but nevertheless their inferior international ranking showed as they were well beaten.
Before kick-off, the odds were stacked against Vera Pauw’s side as Ireland are currently 34th in the world rankings, 17 places behind their opponents.
The pressure continues to mount on Pauw, with their poor run of form following a dismal European Championships qualification campaign in which they failed to qualify for the postponed tournament; set to be played next Summer.
Unlike the previous encounter between the two sides, Ireland started the game well and enjoyed plenty of possession and territory in an even first half.
The closest Ireland came to a goal was through Megan Connolly’s long-range effort that was well struck and required a decent save by homeside goalkeeper Cecila Ran Runarsdottir.
Iceland looked threatening in the first half but vital last ditch defending by the likes of Louise Quinn kept the scores level at the interval.
The hosts took the lead through Thorvaldsdottir, after a long looping ball into the box split the two centre backs and the unmarked striker rolled the ball underneath Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
Just moments later, Iceland should have made it 2-0, as substitute Andrea Ran Snaefeld Hauksdottir squandered an empty net just five yards out.
Iceland later went close once more through goalscorer Thordvaldsdottir, as the hosts began to dominate proceedings and their superior quality began to show.
Bayern Munich striker Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir doubled Iceland’s lead through a powerful long-range effort that flew into the bottom corner, leaving Brosnan with no chance.
Denise O’Sullivan went close late on for Ireland, but they failed to create enough to get themselves back into the game, after going behind.
Next up for Ireland is a World Cup qualifier away to Georgia, before a home-tie against Sweden. Both matches are in September.
Whilst, Iceland continue their preparation for next year’s European Championships with World Cup qualifiers at home to Netherlands and Czech Republic.
Timeline
Past Meetings
(International Friendly)
3 - 2Women's Senior
Laugardalsvollur Iceland v Ireland |
0 - 0Women's Senior
Tallaght Stadium Republic of Ireland v Iceland |
(Playoff)
3 - 0UEFA Women's EURO Qualification
Laugardalsvollur Iceland v Republic of Ireland |
(Playoff)
1 - 1UEFA Women's EURO Qualification
Tallaght Stadium Republic of Ireland v Iceland |
(Algarve Cup)
1 - 4Women's Senior
Estadio Municipal, Lagos Republic of Ireland v Iceland |
(Algarve Cup)
1 - 1Women's Senior
Estadio Municipal, Lagos Iceland v Republic of Ireland |
Ground
Laugardalsvollur |
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Laugardalsvöllur, Þvottalaugavegur, Laugardalur, Reykjavik, Capital Region, 104, Iceland |
Full time: Iceland 2-0 Republic of Ireland
McCabe's corner is comfortably clear and McLaughlin's effort is straight at Runarsdottir.
Corner for Ireland in the last minute.
Denise O\'Sullivan goes close with a great chance after Katie McCabe\'s knockdown picks out the midfielder in the penalty box but her effort is tame and doesn\'t trouble the Iceland goalkeeper.
The fourth official has indicated there will be a minimum of six additional minutes to be played.
Play has continued as Ireland desperately try to find a way back into the match.
There's a break in play as Iceland defender Glodis Peria Viggosdottir is down receiving medical attention.
GOAL! It's a brilliant goal by Bayern Munich striker Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir who powers a long range effort into the bottom corner, leaving Brosnan with no chance. Vera Pauw will be furious with the lack of closing down by the Irish defence.
Ireland sub: Roma McLaughlin replaces Eabha O'Mahony
Iceland go clean through on goal but goalscorer Thordvaldsdottir couldn't reach a good inviting cross from the right, to add to her tally.
Iceland sub: Hafrun Rakel Halldorsdottir replaces Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir
McCabe has left the field for further inspection but play has resumed.
McCabe took an awkward landing and is down receiving medical attention, which has put a halt to the game for the time being.
Katie McCabe has an appeal for a penalty turned down and probably rightly so.
The hosts are in firm control of the contest now, dominating possession and territory.
Ireland sub: Jessica Ziu replaces Amber Barrett
Heather Payne goes through one on one after being picked out by a brilliant ball by Katie McCabe but Payne is eventually ruled offside.
Iceland should have made it 2-0 through substitute Hauksdottir who squanders an empty net five yards out. Ireland's defence looks shaky with two players caught going for the same ball.
GOAL! Iceland lead through Berglind Bjord Thorvaldsdottir, after a long looping ball into the box splits the two centre backs and the unmarked striker rolls the ball underneath Brosnan for the opening goal.
Katie McCabe has a shot from distance that sails well over the crossbar.
Halldorsdottir is yellow carded for Iceland.
Iceland go through one on one through Alexandra Jonsdottir but keeper Courtney Brosnan does brilliantly and last ditch defending keeps the scores level.
Ireland have started the second half the same as they were playing in the first, with good pressure, endeavour and smart play on the ball.
Back underway in the second half.
Iceland substitution: Guorun Arnardottir replaces Ingibjorg Siguroardottir
Half time: Iceland 0-0 Republic of Ireland
The fourth official has indicated there will be a minimum of one additional minute played at the end of the first half.
Jonsdottir continues her formidable long throws but the Ireland defence has been up for the task so far.
The corner from McCabe again is a good delivery but the Ireland attackers couldn't get the required contact to hit the target.
Connolly's shot from distance is a good one but the save from Runarsdottir matches the shot and the ball is out for a Ireland corner.
The corner is a good one but Gilsadottir's header is over the bar.
Corner for Iceland as they are enjoying a good spell of possession and territory.
Iceland go through one on one, on the counter attack but a strong save by Courtney Brosnan and Diane Caldwell's quick reaction to the rebound keeps the scores level.
Katie McCabe's corner picks out Quinn and her flick on finds O'Riordan but her header is a tame one and doesn't trouble the Icelandid goalkeeper.
First corner of the game is Ireland's.
Amber Barrett has a shot on the edge of the box that sails wide after good build up play by Ireland.
Alexandra Johansdottir of Iceland is carded.
Vital interception by the impressive Quinn as Eve O'Mahony was beaten and the Icelandic cross from the right was a good one and needed an intervention.
Play is back underway and Quinn is okay to continue.
A break in play as Louise Quinn is down in the away penalty area receiving medical attention.
Iceland's free kick from a dangerous position comes to nothing and keeper Courtney Brosnan collects.
A vital header by Louise Quinn stops Iceland from being clean through on goal. Even start to this first half, coach Vera Pauw will be pleased especially as they were 2-0 down at this point on Friday.
The famous Viking clap has started as the home fans attempt to will on their beloved Iceland team. A great sight to see fans back in the stadium, creating a good atmosphere!
Better start this time round by Ireland, dominating possession and territory early on but Megan Connolly's effort sails high and wide.
It's a good atmosphere inside Laugardalsvollur, with 1,500 supporters in the stands making themselves heard.
We're underway.
The national anthems have been sung and we are just seconds away from kickoff.
In Friday's game Iceland dominated the contest and deservedly won 3-2, with critics calling Ireland's first half display the worst since Vera Pauw took charge of the national side.
The teams are in and it's a first start for Eabha O'Mahony, whilst uncapped Saoirse Noonan makes the bench, with two current and six former Women's National League players in Ireland's starting 11.
The weather in Reykjavik is currently 10 degrees Celsius, with an 83% chance of rain, humidity of 44% and winds of 17 mph.
Hello and welcome to Final Whistle's coverage of today's International friendly between Iceland and Republic of Ireland.