[Source: IFA website, Shaun Schofield]
[Photos: Shaun Schofield]
NORTHERN Ireland women were beaten 4-0 by a physically strong Czech Republic team in Roudnice on Saturday in their UEFA Women’s Championship Qualifying game.
However, whilst the result was not in doubt as the home team held a 2-0 lead at half time, the final score did not do the ‘Greens’ justice as they conceded both a penalty and a deflected goal with the last kick of the match in the last 10 minutes.
The team spent most of the first half on the defensive with Julie Nelson marshalling the defensive line well. It actually took a moment of brilliance from Czech captain Eva Smeralova to break the deadlock after 23 minutes: a player who was class act and someone who the visitors struggled to cope with all afternoon. Indeed her through ball in the 42nd minute led to the hosts doubling their lead as Northern Ireland were caught flat footed.
Manager Alfie Wylie’s half time team talk brought a far more positive Northern Ireland onto the pitch in the second half as the team enjoyed a lot more possession as forwards Stacey Hall and Roisin Havelin made their presence felt, harassing what had been a previously comfortable Czech back-line.
Their possession was well fed by left wing Demi Vance and Kelly Baillie who combined well along the flank and certainly worried the hosts.
Unfortunately the visitors tired badly late on, on a warm afternoon, and allowed the Czech’s to re-assert their authority in the last quarter, though it did take a dubious 83rd minute penalty to break the second-half stalemate.
A 50/50 ‘push and shove’ incident on the edge of the box saw the Russian official point to the spot, though keeper Emma Higgins, who injured an ankle in a warm up incident, almost got a hand to the ball.
Late on Emma parried a speculative hoof into the goal, giving the Czech’s their flattering score line.
Likely the ladies management team will take away many positives from this game, most especially the noted defensive set up as the team continue their qualifying series with a fixture against Spain in late May seeking that elusive first victory.
