IrelandDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 February 2023 | 1:00 pm | Women's Senior | 2022/23 |
Match Report
WNT: China 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Vera Pauw's preparations for this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup continued with a friendly against China, currently ranked 14th in the world, in Cadiz, Spain
The first half didn't offer much in terms of excitement with Ireland having the best opportunity through a headed Louise Quinn effort which came back off the woodwork just before the twenty minute mark.
Debutants Aoife Mannion and Deborah-Anne de la Harpe both impressed at different times for the Girls in Green but showed some signs of needing some further experience at this level to be included in the final squad for the world cup.
Some knocks to Katie McCabe and Louise Quinn gave Pauw some pause for concern but both players picked themselves up and continued on the field.
A triple substitution at the break saw another debutant as Marissa Sheva got her first taste of the international game replacing Abbie Larkin. The experienced duo of Aine O'Gorman and Ruesha Littlejohn also entered the fray.
In the early exchanges of the second period, a mixup at the back almost gave China the opening score. Chinese forward Lou Jiahui latched on to a poor back pass to leave Brosnan in no man's land. Luckily defender Louise Quinn was on hand to block the goalbound effort and save her team mates blushes.
Both teams found the net within two second half minutes around the hour mark with a clear offside ruling our China's effort before the referee inexplicably decided the goalkeeper had been fouled as she punched the ball to her own net moments later.
As both coaches shuffled their deck through the second half the game lost a lost of the shape and became a little scrappy. A fabulous point blank save from Brosnan kept the score level after a defensive mix up gave Lou Jiahui space in the box.
Substitute Kyra Carusa looked bright with good movement between the US born striker and her captain almost created an opportunity at the back post for Aine O'Gorman but a Chinese head cleared the danger.
Megan Connolly picked up an opportunity as a handball on the edge of the box gave her a shooting effort. The Chinese keeper was more than able for the effort from the Cork woman.
Ireland finished the strongest with a few late attacks almost creating chances for them to steal the victory. Firstly another Megan Campbell long throw bouncing off the head of a Chinese defender for a corner which the Chinese were more than able to deal with before a Megan Connelly corner put the defence under more pressure.
Timeline
Ground
| Estadio Nuevo Mirador |
|---|
| Estadio Nuevo Mirador, Avenida del Puerto, Poligono Industrial de Algeciras, Algeciras, Campo de Gibraltar, Cádiz, Andalusia, 11205, Spain |
Final Whistle
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A tug on the jersey of Ruesha Littlejohn see's Li pick up a book in her last act before being substituted.
Megan Connolly gets her effort on target but doesn't bother the Chinese keeper unduly. Still scoreless here in what has been an impressive performance from the Irish side against the higher ranked Chinese.
A handball on the edge of the box gives Ireland a clear opportunity to make the keeper work as we approach the last 8 minutes of the game.
Great work on the left hand side from sub Carusa saw Katie McCabe cross but a Chinese head cleared the danger as Aine O'Gorman lay in wait at the back post.
Impressive debutant Aoife Mannion is replaced by veteran Diane Caldwell for the last twenty minutes
China's growth into the game continues as Mannion is forced to concede another corner as a Chinese forward threatened to sneak in behind. Her centre back partner Quinn was forced into another with the resulting deep cross.
It's now Ireland's turn to be disappointed. The Chinese goalkeeper misses the ball and fists it into her own net, but the referee is the only person in the ground who saw a foul and it's ruled out much to the disgust of Louise Quinn.
As China begin to grow into the game and gain dominance they have the ball in the net but the referee calls it back for an off side in the build up to the relief of the Irish defence.
Ireland almost concede as a sloppy backpass is intercepted by the Chinese forward Lou Jiahui as Louise Quinn makes a last gasp intervention with Brosnan in no man's land. China almost score a header from the resultant corner.
A number of half time changes for Ireland as Aine O'Gorman, Marissa Sheeva and Ruesha Littlejohn enter the fray as it appears Deborah-Anne de la Harpe, Abbie Larkin and Lily Agg make way.
Half time with neither really threatening to open the scoring here as Ireland continue their build up to the World Cup this summer.
Once again a deep whipped cross from Campbell finds the head of Louise Quinn. Quinn took a knock to the head competing for the ball as the keeper gathers the ball.
Excellent cross from Megan Campbell finds Heather Payne in the box with a little bit of space. She fails to make the touch she'd have liked as the ball goes harmlessly wide. Campbell's distribution is at the heart of everything good for the Irish challenge.
Good work from Heather Payne forces a throw in. Megan Campbell makes the journey up to take one of her long throws into the box.
Ireland beginning to show some decent moves although a few sloppy passes are showing the new additions to the squad need some time to mesh.
The first caution of the game goes to Chinese midfielder Yao Lingwei. Katie McCabe puts the resulting long range free well over the China goal.
And Ireland nearly make the breakthrough. Katie McCabe's deep corner is met by the head of Louise Quinn who rattles the crossbar.
Debutant Aoife Mannion shows her strength fending off a Chinese attacker to win a free on her own end line for the Irish side.
Fairly timid opening here in Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Marbella, Spain. Both teams just getting to grips with each other here. No real chances created yet.