Iceland in the playoff

[gspain]

Iceland it is. not too bad.

[gspain]

Iceland will be warm favourites but we must have a chance. Better than a trip to Ukraine or Russia anyway.

[HarpoJoyce]

It was going be someone good no matter what.
Slovenia good a great 2-1 win against Iceland early in their group. For that one result alone I wanted Slovenia to make the play-offs.
Iceland lost only once to France. They won in Reykjavik won 1-0.

RoI's games in the States must give them some confidence those read like some good performances.

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/news/kind=1/newsid=758510.html
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3665
"The Irish will host Iceland in the first leg, play off on Sunday 26th October at Tolka Park, before travelling to Iceland for the return leg on Thursday 30th October..."

RoI are worthy 3rd place finishers so I'm glad they got an extra step and a crack at another strong team after Italy and Sweden.

[geysir]

Sorry lads and lassies, it's Iceland ladies for me.
I have gone to a few of their games with my daughter, it's been great stuff. They are a top team, skillful, some scary tackling and a taste for the spectacular.

Check out the throw in technique on 3.10 mins followed by that "tackle" on 3.20 mins

Iceland 5 Slovenia 0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7OmfIcBmcg)

[Gather round]

The team look good- not sure about the Billy Joel cover version ;)

[HarpoJoyce]

The first leg is due to be played at Richmond Park.
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3665
"2009 UEFA European Women's Championship play-off fixtures
Republic of Ireland v Iceland
Sunday 26th October
Richmond Park
Kick-off: 3 pm "

[37Beour]

Finished 1-1 today for people that didn't already hear.

Was at the game and being brutally honest was disappointed with the Irish performance. It was my first time seeing a Senior Irish International game and was a bit stunned by it all. However high Iceland are in the ratings in comparison to the Irish I didn't think Iceland were a great team. They had no real opportunities, they lacked it up front. They did have a good back four and they were physically bigger and stronger than us player for player but thats normally the case. So why couldn't Ireland finish them or start them in all seriousness??!

Yvonne Tracey and Niamh Fahy didn't put a foot wrong and were very solid in the back. Aine O' Gorman played well along with Michelle O' Brien and in my opinion were the only two attacking players that had a bit of bite, worked hard and passion to win the game. The rest were mere passengers. The midfield was disappointing, everytime they recieved the ball they played it back to the defenders who in turn either hoofed it or lost it trying to pick a difficult pass. There was no threading through of balls, no little chips over the top no creativity. Ciara Grant was disappointing and Stephaine Curtis may have scored but thats all she did. De Burca is a lovely player but why was she playing left back? Is she not a midfielder? Why isn't a natural left back in the squad to fill this position if De Burca can't get into midfield? Curtis caused De Burca even more pressure by not tracking back.

I don't want to be negative saying this because more than anything I would love to see us qualify for the Euros but I was seriously disppointed. The bench also had no attacking options either!! Why isn't Marie Curtin in the squad any longer does anybody know? I know from experience she is a tough cookie, can tackle and has great vision something the midfield were without today.

I think the Irish set up is gone complacent, this was the biggest match in Irish Womens history and most of the midfield were too relaxed, not busting their back sides to press the oppostion, not putting in tackles to try win the ball. I def think there is better players in this country that could push players in that team. No doubt. And maybe thats what King has to do, open his eyes and see the gifted players throughout the country and frighten the regulars to fight for their positions.

And speaking to people after the game there was all round agreement. These are people that don't get a chance to get to see many Intenational games because of travel and were also baffled by the players selected ability.:ball:

[geysir]

The outdoor pitch has been declared unplayable in Reykjavik for the Thursday return leg, powder snow covering but temp is from -3C to -10C.
There are 2 full size indoor pitches which can accomodate about 5,000 each but they don't pass Uefa standards for this level.
The rules state that the home team have 2 days to rearrange.
The weather is due to get above freezing on Friday.
I don't know what happens if the game can´t be played then, a 3 nil to Ireland?
or play it in the Faroes? Scotland?

It would be a travesty if this Iceland team does not go through ahead of Ireland, who they would easily beat on de-iced home turf.

[eamo1]

Well i know Niamh Fahy is playing for Arsenal on Saturday in a European game so if the game was re-arranged for Friday her club would be pretty pi""ed off.Ireland were lucky yesterday by all accounts.

[libero4]

Agree with most of what you say Beour.
De Burca is a good club player but nowhere near international standard. Poor first touch cost the first goal. The other full back is no better. Both gave yards of space to their attackers. Curtis took her goal well but is a one trick wonder and adds nothing to the team. What system was King playing? There never semed to be a centre forward until Olivia came on. O'Brien is a decent player but has to go outfield to win a ball. In a game of this importance Ireland should have blitzed Iceland from the start. How can you score goals when you have no attackers. I agree the midfield was poor. How is Sonya Hughes in the team? Ciara Grant has been a great player but is struggling now at this level. Were Edel Malone and Marie Curtin not released by their college?
You are right about there being plenty of better players in the country. Unfortunately the management team are not interested in travelling around to see games or even to hold trials. More and more non-Irish girls are being selected. Do they go abroad to watch these players?
It is the slowest international team I've ever seen. Our underage teams are doing well of late and some of the players should be brought in on a gradual basis.
It appears to me that King is more interested in "losing honourably" or getting a 0-0 or 1-1 draw than really going for it and looking for a win.
Lets stop crowding the defense, particularly at home, and try to score goals and win games.
Being fair to Noel he has improved the game in Ireland. We are faring better than previously but there is a level above our play that we will never aspire to while we think only defensively and dont learn to attack and go in search of goals.

[gspain]

I thought we did well. Disasterous start conceding in the first 30 seconds.

We were well worth the draw in the 2nd half. I wouldn't rule out qualifying yet but Iceland must be favourites. Olivia O'Toole was a real difference coming off the bench. She may be 37 but had that touch of class. The keeper made a great save to deny her the winner from a freekick.

A huge improvement from the Sweden home game.

[37Beour]

Ya thats another point I wanted to touch on Libero. How is it that all these American players have been recruited yet no new Irish blood in the entire 26 counties cannot supposedly do the job? It baffles me :confused: I know from personal experience and thats playing for my province both club and colleges, in the colleges premier league and with a senior status club that there is huge talent in Ireland that hasn't been given the recognition that they deserved. I stated previously on Foot that if you haven't been on the 19's or a household name in soccer circles then you will never get the chance to represent your country which is sad considering most women don't peak til early 20's. Can anyone from the FAI travel outside of Dublin for games? Attend various league games or college games to keep track on players? And even more so from a financial perspective see if the money they are pumping into development is actually working or are they willing to keep pouring money in and not see the results whether this is good or bad.

As for Olivia O' Toole, apart from the free kick she didn't have much of an impact. She is due all the respect she deserves with the record she holds but its time to hold up our hands and say thats it give somebody else a chance and thats said with the utmost respect. Ciara Grant is threading along that line as well I feel with her contribution being below international standard on Sunday. Sharon Boyle on the bench?:confused:

I think if thats the best performance on Sunday and thats the best players in the country and is described in the media as well as on here as being good then womens soccer in Ireland is at a poor standard and I have being wearing rose tinted glasses when I thought there was better.:ball:

[ramladies]

Can anyone from the FAI travel outside of Dublin for games? Attend various league games or college games to keep track on players? And even more so from a financial perspective see if the money they are pumping into development is actually working or are they willing to keep pouring money in and not see the results whether this is good or bad.

Agree totally with you 37beour as i myself too play in college league and also club soccer. have seen many players that could easily be challenging for places in the irish squad if given the chance.
how about these new fai development officers that have been placed in colleges around ireland this yr, will these be used as a means of spotting players or are the FAI just squandering money.

[gspain]

As for Olivia O' Toole, apart from the free kick she didn't have much of an impact.

I'm amazed at the difference of opinion. I thought she looked a class above those on the pitch. I thought she also setup the goal (could be wrong on this one). She looked different class on the ball and played some lovely passes. The freekick was a great effort.

[olegunnar]

wasn't at the game, but i'd guess that the reason "domestic" girls aren't selected has a lot to do with fitness levels AND standard of leagues that players are in. in midlands league, you might get close to 10 games in a year,and a small few are competitive. i see a few limerick posters on this thread, so how many of ur matches are more one-sided than when u play a lifford match or wfai senior cup??

hard to come watch a player playing for mullinagr athletic v killavilla, and guess she could be an internationl standard??

HOWEVER, why is there not a facility where an open, annual trail can be held, requesting the TOP players in any local league to attend,and MAKE THE EFFORT to spot players. Maybe then keep tabs on them,maybe have a u23 or b team level match to see if they could cut it?

The money for this could come from saving on one foreign scouting mission, if they occur??

It would appear that u can only get into senior squad by emerging from u19's or being on world student games squad, so opebn trial could also be another option to see whats out there?

just a coupl of thoughts.

ps i don't think there are as many TOP level college players out there. the ones i know spend a lot of time in clubs and pubs, there is more of a social aspect to the colleges than sports, at least more now than there used to be. and i'm not saying that ALL college players are boozers, but hey, they're not all tee-total either are they??

alcohol,poor diet, infrequent/non competitive matches and trainings are not the recipie for an international footballer, do you really know of an ELITE level player who isn't on the radar??

If so, announce them!!!

:eek:

I hope we beat iceland!!

and hard luck to u17's

[37Beour]

The standard of leagues in Ireland isn't great and I can only give a Munster perspective because thats what I participate in buts thats womens soccer in Ireland due to poor development and the money being pumped in won't see the fruitation of it I believe for another 10years! And the case a couple of league games can be slightly one sided but they are never easy I can tell you....we beat the bottom of the league team this year only 2-0. And Lifford? Our club has been training solid for the last 4 years taken only 2 weeks off at Christmas every year, Lifford and others in the league used to slap us 9-0, following year 5-0 and the trend has being going like that til we finally beat them this year. I personally think its what teams put in and the work players do but there is no reward. If the FAI just didn't presume there was no players in the rest of the country other than players already in the Irish set up with the 'names'!!! And they are trying to rectify the problem in junior level with the elite training camps and I do think thats a brilliant idea.

And what a very stereotypical view you have of students. I know for a fact every team in the Premier league take it incredibly serious and prob some more in lower leagues I can't say because I haven't experienced them. Its def about pride up in that league and all players are very committed so on that point I DEF don't agree on!

Can you honestly say by looking at the team sheets for the Icelands game there isn't better out there? I think some of the names are there for past graces and again because they are a name! The game on Sunday had no heart, no one willing to pour sweat for the Irish jersey bar O' Gorman, O' Brien, Tracey and Fahy!

Take a trip to any top rival clubs games around the country or even to a drunk student college game :p and you will then see heart, fight and determenation as well as high class football.;)

[olegunnar]

i think you are slightly missing my point regarding college; i tried to make record that i didn't say all players were drunken clowns, i hope it didnt come over that way.

The point i want to bring up is that if you take the college lifestyle in ireland, and compare that to even uk/france or usa college set ups, its very different. Can you seriously say that there are players in your team that train 3-4 times a week, combine with gym work, proper diet, regular fitness testing etc the way an ELITE/INTERNATIONAL athlete should prepare??

far be it for me to say that the senior selection might be a little stale/stagnant, but consider that the pool of players being selected ARE making the above commitment to being an international.

Ask any u19 player you know, and she will tell you that fitness levels are a huge demand to be part of the squad. ask any of the few colleges girls that have made world student games squad how do they compare to non-irish colleges players, and they'll tell u the difference in fitness levels.

believe me, i understand that there is a HUGE level of commitment during college matches/trainings, but its what happens OFF the pitch is where the main differences are.

maybe the fai should be more active is showing a pathway for these kind of players, so that a girl can use the college season to push herself/develop herself, and make the step up to elite level.

when u won your last college match, did most of the squad go out on beer afterwards,house party etc? Also, i've heard that ucd have 2 new players in, and all of a sudden they are CONTENDERS, so it doesnt take too much to improve your standing if all it takes are 2 new players to come in? they beat sligo 4-1 and all u hear is about mary & louise and that ucd can win it all!!

so i don't mean in ANY way to put down the efforts of players in college, but its not quite as high level as you think.

It is however the only version of a NATIONAL LEAGUE that we have, and that my fellow poster, is WHERE THE FAI NEED TO INVEST THEIR MONEY, OPEN UP THE CHANNELS FOR ALL FEMALE PLAYERS OUT THERE TO BE SEEN, AND SAY HEY, THERE ARE TALENTED PLAYERS IN OUR DOMESTIC LEAGUES!!

FAI WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE, begins september 2018!!!

[geysir]

I think the game will go ahead this evening as planned,
weather is clear, bright and sunny.
And it looks like the whole football family got involved with clearing the pitch of most of the snow yesterday :)

http://www.mbl.is/frimg/4/82/482160A.jpg


The poor underfoot conditions for skillful football will not suit the home team who would be normally expected to stroll this game by 3 or 4 goals.

[geysir]

3 nil in the end, could have been about 6 nil to the Icelandic ladies
I was chaperone to a bunch of older teenage girls. My ears haven't had such a pounding since a Rory Gallagher concert at the stadium, back in the day.
Hard to pick out a decent Irish lass, RB nr 2 certainly did her best and nr 4 never gave up.
The Irish ladies were outclassed everywhere and when on the ball were simply dispossesed without even a tackle. They only had one chance in the whole game and apart from that never threatened, never even got close. It was a dream game for the locals
Irish goalie was lobbed for nr 1, she was badly out of position. She had no chance with nr 2, a glancing header. For nr 3 she went running out to the corner of the box when there was a defender, left the whole goal exposed, simply awful goalkeeping that made me groan something primeval. Other than that she was good with one superb save.

At no time, from the kick off to the end, were the Irish ladies in with the remotest of chances. It was a reduce the margin of defeat for them, right from the kick off. They have quite a bit to go before getting through to the top 12 in Europe. They were battered on skill, on tactics and on the physicalities. So naive as well, the run of the mill push in the back that they made so obvious that it could be spotted from outer space, 2 or 3 throw ins in their own half go straight to the feet of their opponents, so many passes into space- real space.
It was strange enough to be cheering against the country of your birth but it's very doable, there is just is no doubt at all, not even a twinge, now I know some of Jacks emotions when we beat the English in Stuttgart.
It was a night of high emotion for the natives who turned up in their thousands, with that type of 'we are on the way to the finals and we wont be moved' atmosphere right from kick off. Loads of families, extended families, just non stop exhortations and tears at the end.

[nemi7]

so have u seen the two every dif match reports for the ireland game last nite??

FAI.IE "Iceland were ahead after 24 minutes through the boot of Dóra María Lárusdóttir who ran on to a half clearance from the Irish defence at the edge of the box, her looping shot dropped dropped under the crossbar to give her side the lead"

FOOT.IE "Irish goalie was lobbed for nr 1, she was badly out of position"

FAI.IE "but Emma Byrne was in outstanding form in goal" " Iceland doubled their lead on the hour mark as midfielder, Lárusdóttir crossed from the right and striker, Vidarsdóttir was on hand at the near post to nod her effort past Byrne"

FOOT.IE "She had no chance with nr 2, a glancing header"


FAI "Iceland wrapped up the scoring after 69 minutes as Lárusdóttir grabbed her second of the night, she ran on to a clever throughball and raced past Irish defender, Meabh de Burcha and as Emma Byrne tried to close down her angle, she cleverly powered the ball into the top left hand corner to make it 3-0."

FOOT " For nr 3 she went running out to the corner of the box when there was a defender, left the whole goal exposed, simply awful goalkeeping that made me groan something primeval"



FAI "The Irish came out after the half-time break with a confident style of play as they pushed up deep and took the game to their opponents."

FOOT " At no time, from the kick off to the end, were the Irish ladies in with the remotest of chances. It was a reduce the margin of defeat for them, right from the kick off."


Need I even mention that they reported that Noel played 4.3.3 on Sunday?? He no more play 4 3 3 than Russell Brand didn't roger Manuel's granddaughter! Michelle O Brien might as well have pulled up a table and chair she was so isolated.

Ladies and Gentlemen, propaganda is still well and truely in swing in the media today. Goebbels would be so proud.

[DublinSpur]

A deserved victory for Iceland in the end. They coped with the conditions far better from the off. We really struggled to get any momentum going forward and another early goal put is on the back foot from the off. Fahey was the pick of the bunch for me - a very solid game to compliment her performance at Richmond Park.

That said, a good campaign overall. We are progressing but unfortunately so are many other nations at the same or better rate.

As an aside, thought Emma Byrne's tights were pretty cool. Might pick up a pair before Sunday!

[geysir]

If the conditions were ideal, Iceland would have won 6 nil. Those the hard facts.
They have won all their competitive home games.
As it was, the conditions for the game were good except for the rock hard slippy surface.
The ladies were like Bambi on ice at times. Both teams managed to cope as best they could. The players were slipping on the turn and difficult to put on the brakes once you got a bit of momentum. One time there was a collective ooh from the crowd as one Irish player hit the ground and banged her head on the hard turf.
The Irish ladies kept going to the end, credit to them for that, they contested & tackled all the way through and kept the score down.

[thekitman]

Is it time for a change of managerial/coaching personnel?

would Denis O'Brien put up a few bob for a "world class" manager?

is staunton busy?

[soccerfan]

In reply to the FAI brave defeat for the Irish team, the only thing I believe is brave is Noel King picking and average midfielder (average because she couldn’t be seen in the NUIG team for the entire season last year!!!) and putting her left full, cost us the game and then putting the same player back in for the return leg, now when Staunton made mistakes similar to this he wasn’t long packing his bags for a quick exit!!
Olegunner I’m going to put the following in points so it should be a lot easier for you to understand:
1. America Colleges play on average of 18games over a 4 mth period in the autumn, Irish colleges play an average of 15 games over a 6mth period beginning in October. Which would you prefer all games in one semester and then twiddle your thumbs for spring and maybe play a few tournaments...

2. Regarding your point on boozing, America Colleges most times implement a 48hr drinking ban on teams, can you name a college playing premier league soccer here that allows their players to go out get hammered two nights before a game?

3. There is top quality players in this country and if Noel King is that busy to hop in his car to travel outside the capital well maybe he should send his new development officers to check out the players, definitely midfielders between three particular colleges who are miles ahead of what I seen last Sunday and there are natural full backs, def one who was actually left footed..I’m not sure if she is still in college but played with UL, like Evra she covers a lot of ground getting up and down the wing and had pace that could not beaten last year. What we need is a little more youth in the team, sorry but at 37 its time to give someone else a go!!!

4. If you ever bothered to investigate players schedules here you would find that 99% of players here train twice a week minimum with their college along with a game during the week, then they travel home at the weekend to train at least once with their club and play a game also, now correct me if I am wrong but does this not equal training and games totally 6 days a week for American Colleges, who might I add ONLY play with their college!!

5. Finally take a walk around campus and take note of all the athletes you see carrying a ltr bottle of water on a daily basis as they go to their lectures, then stroll to the gym on campus and have a wee peak to check out the athletes who are in the gym working out on their own or maybe even coming off the field with a ball..

6. ELITE PLAYERS ARE NOT BORN, THEY ARE DECENT PLAYERS WHO WITH A LITTLE TIME, PERFECT PRACTICE AND INVESTMENT GROW AND CAN COMPETE ON THE ELITE LEVEL!!

[LmkSnr]

I also went along to the game at Richmond Park to support the girls in green. I watched the game and it saddens me to say I discovered the top ranks in the FAI are very out of touch with the level of senior soccer in this country. There is no way anyone could seriously say we played well on the day. We were terrible, septic almost in my opinion. We played far too slow, we gave away the ball far too easily, there was no support for the striker and left her to do all the work by herself, which in fairness to her she covered alot of ground.....maybe the midfielders should have taken a leaf out of her book. I honestly believe most senior league clubs would have given Iceland a better game and competed a bit more on any day compared to what I shockingly saw.

As for the colleges....

By the time the college season's starts most girls are at the end of the club season. Most of them are multi disciplinary as well with most playing GAA so they are peak These girls are on top of their game someone should have the decency to spend some time to watch college games or senior cup games!! From watching college games and Senior Cup games and I would nearly go as far as to say Intermediate Cup games soccer is played at an alot faster pace than in ANY point in the SENIOR International game I witnessed. Off hand I know UL this year have alot of Senior players Salthill (3) Ballina (2) Aisling Annacotty (5) Lifford (5) plus some Kerry girls that are Kerry football all stars. Out of all these players more than half play GAA football with their county and are GAA club champions as well as competing in the highest level of soccer so they DEF would play harder than any american college teams. I don't know what college teams you have witnessed Ole Gunner but clearly they are not the best and your comments are almost laughable and bordering insulting for college teams.

[olegunnar]

In reply to the FAI brave defeat for the Irish team, the only thing I believe is brave is Noel King picking and average midfielder (average because she couldn’t be seen in the NUIG team for the entire season last year!!!) and putting her left full, cost us the game and then putting the same player back in for the return leg, now when Staunton made mistakes similar to this he wasn’t long packing his bags for a quick exit!!

(I actually know Meabh, she isn't best suited to that position, and this limited her performance, but its not HER fault, SHE doesn't pick the team, so let's not attack her)


(Anyway..)

1. America Colleges play on average of 18games over a 4 mth period in the autumn, Irish colleges play an average of 15 games over a 6mth period beginning in October. Which would you prefer all games in one semester and then twiddle your thumbs for spring and maybe play a few tournaments...

(Your 6 months include xmas break,and exam breaks and 3-4 of the 15 games are on the same weekend,intervarsities,so i think the seasons are largely similar in duration)

2. Regarding your point on boozing, America Colleges most times implement a 48hr drinking ban on teams, can you name a college playing premier league soccer here that allows their players to go out get hammered two nights before a game?

(I dont think its an issue of a college letting their players get hammered two nights before a game,i'd never come across a girl in rag-order before a game. I was moreso talking about AFTER the match. and i'll develop this in a later point)

3. There is top quality players in this country and if Noel King is that busy to hop in his car to travel outside the capital well maybe he should send his new development officers to check out the players, definitely midfielders between three particular colleges who are miles ahead of what I seen last Sunday and there are natural full backs, def one who was actually left footed..I’m not sure if she is still in college but played with UL, like Evra she covers a lot of ground getting up and down the wing and had pace that could not beaten last year. What we need is a little more youth in the team, sorry but at 37 its time to give someone else a go!!!

(37 is rather old, experience yes, but does the player have the legs? Who are these noel king officers, surely they can do some of this talent spotting indeed.why have scouts and not use them? Evra playing for UL? I'd have no idea who she is either, did she play World student games last yr??)

4. If you ever bothered to investigate players schedules here you would find that 99% of players here train twice a week minimum with their college along with a game during the week, then they travel home at the weekend to train at least once with their club and play a game also, now correct me if I am wrong but does this not equal training and games totally 6 days a week for American Colleges, who might I add ONLY play with their college!!

(Not all colleges follow this plan,those that do,tend to be the colleges that realise they have a good squad,and therefore train to win something. there are premier teams that don't train twice,nuig last yr,barely had a session a wk.and as for 1st division,where there of course can be good players,i'd douby they'd be training more than once weekly,I dont know them all,so i'm possibly off the mark)

5. Finally take a walk around campus and take note of all the athletes you see carrying a ltr bottle of water on a daily basis as they go to their lectures, then stroll to the gym on campus and have a wee peak to check out the athletes who are in the gym working out on their own or maybe even coming off the field with a ball..

(This is the point I said i'd develop from earlier. Yes there are athletes walking around campus,say in DCU, and they have their water and their gym and training etc. Not so sure i'd see them on the beer the night of a race or swim or match? So my point is elite level athletes don't drink/mind their diet/get elite level coaching and advice, this is not an attack on any player at all,just can we say that wscai college players,on the whole,would not be classed as elite athletes by the water/gym etc definition. Yes, training away,play hard, play midweek and weekends, but in terms of being an ELITE athlete, maybe not. I was in college for sport science, so thats why i'm keen on this area...)

[olegunnar]

(LMK SNR)

i have seen premier teams play nuig last yr,so i'm quite familiar with the big 2,ul and sit. I'm not here to insult anyone, if there is a single player in college that is interested in playing senior international, i'm sure she will make the world student games squad, which is managed by Noel King, so they will be working under him, and can have the chance to sell their abilities to him first hand. i think they are in slovakia, but check cusai website to be sure.

Other than that, email fai staff and get a player looked at. its their job to check these things out