29.10.05 Romania 3 - 2 Northern Ireland (World Cup Qualifier)

Northern Ireland played their first competitive game in fourteen years against Romania on Saturday 29th October 2005 in Mogosoaia, Bucharest.

Played on a cold afternoon, Northern Ireland lined up with a very young squad of players. Having started off brightly, Northern Ireland were hit with an early blow when a speculative shot from number 7, Daniela Pufulete (who was making her 102nd appearance), from 25 yards beat Emma Higgins in the Irish goal. For the next ten minutes Northern Ireland found themselves under pressure, but good defensive organisation ensured that nothing was conceded. Gradually Northern Ireland played regained composure and forced a numbers of shots on the Romanian goal. In the 25th minute a corner from Rachel Furness was headed goalwards by Sara Booth, with only an outstanding save preventing the equaliser.

On the stroke of half time Romania scored their second goal, when the Northern Ireland midfield allowed the Romanians time to play the ball into the box, allowing number 11, Florentina Spanu, to easily sidefoot the ball into the back of the net.

The second half started with a determined Irish side on the attack. This was to remain the pattern of the half with a goal in 74 minutes. The goal followed a period of good build up play by Kelly Bailie and Rachel Furness, with Rachel firing home from a narrow angle. This goal really inspired the Irish, who forced a number of corners with two being cleared off the line. Unfortunately, with only their second attempt on goal, Romania went 3 - 1 up. A silly free kick conceded on the edge of the box was played into the penalty area, where after a goalkeeping error, the ball was easily tapped into the back of the net by number 9, Gabriela Enache.

Again, undeterred, the Irish girls fought back and were only thwarted by the crossbar when Rachel Furness unleashed a wonderful strike. In the 91st minute, following a superb through ball by Meabh McLaughlin, Stacey Hall fired brilliantly over the goalkeeper into the net to make it 3 - 2. With time running out, the Romanians held on for an undeserved win.

The match statistics of the game illustrated an excellent all round performance by Northern Ireland, with our girls having eight shots on target (five in the second half) compared to Romania's four (two in the second half). Northern Ireland also earned eight corners (five in the second half) compared to five for Romania. These figures clearly demonstrated Northern Ireland's dominance of the second half.

After the game, the Northern Ireland voted captain Aine McGovern "Player of the Match"

Commenting after the game, Alfie Wylie, National Coach said, "this was the best team performance I have ever witnessed and to respond to such an early set back and come out so positive in the second half was extremely encouraging. We were very unlucky not to come away with a point or more from this game".

Looking forward to Thursday's game against Slovakia at Ballymena Showground's, Alfie commented, "We are hoping that the girls who received knocks and bangs during the game will be fit and also that we continue to get support from the American colleges with regards to the release of our players".

Northern Ireland's next game in the European Qualifying Competition for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2007, is against Slovakia on Thursday 10th November at Ballymena Showground's (2.00pm kick-off).