UEFA Championship Qualifiers

[HarpoJoyce]

Irish Senior Ladies play Italy away tomorrow in a Euro Qualifer. All the ladies sides appear to be improving after each of their campaigns. The Senior Ladies after consolidating their position at the qualifying stage group over the last few years, are pushing to gain at least a play-off place for Finland in 2009.
Ireland have beaten Hungary at Tolka, Romania twice once away and again in Richmond Park.
Squad and previous results
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/teams/team=500064/index.html


Italia (Azzurre) : Rep. of Ireland (Girls in Green)
Villacidro, Sardinia Sat. Feb. 16th, 14:00 (Irish time) (15:00 CET)

FAI website
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2882
Kinger speaks.... “Looking at the group, it is evident that this result isn’t the be-all and end-all of qualification, sure, a win would put us in a fantastic position to finish as runners up but depending on the best third placed finish, that is also a route to the UEFA Championships play-offs.”

“I am delighted with the team morale and focus on the challenge ahead, I have never seen such confidence in a whole squad of players like this, obviously it was great to win a couple of friendly games in the past number of weeks but the whole squad are fit and sharp and they are eager for this game to kick off tomorrow afternoon,” added King.


FIGC Italian Federation website. (Short English note).
http://www.figc.it/en/204/18069/2008/02/News.shtml


UEFA's take on the match
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/news/kind=1/newsid=658810.html
"...Only the group winners qualify automatically for Finland, but while the runners-up are guaranteed a play-off place, only four of the six teams finishing third will join them."

Standings
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/standings/index.html
Fixtures & results (from final/Ultimo date down to first/prima date)
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/fixturesresults/index.html

[HarpoJoyce]

Italy scored with 4 very late goals to deny Ireland an away win
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2883

FIGC (Italian) report of the game.
http://www.figc.it/en/204/18136/2008/02/News.shtml

Kate Taylor of St. Catherines scored from 25 yards out in the first half. She was sent off for a second yellow in 52nd minute and unfortunately Ireland couldn't hold out.

[Numero]

HarpoJoyce, I'm not trying to be sarcastic or knock the team, but 'unfortunately couldn't hold out' wouldn't exactly describe the process of conceeding four goals in seven minutes. I think this type of PC language does nothing for the women's game except belittle it.

Winning 1-0 with 8 minutes to go, and then to lose 4-1 is pretty bizarre stuff and I am sure they're gutted. Obviously there is some problem, maybe fitness?

[HarpoJoyce]

I wasn't at the game. I haven't been in contact with anyone connected to the game nor secondary sources bar the two linked in post #2.
The reports do give a clue as to why the Irish team conceded ( some number of goals) late on. I consider the reports part of the post.
A reader could list plenty of football stero-types of why this happened. I'm not going to in this post.

I did not mean to be over protective ( one assumption of the phrase PC). However, I am not prepared to be critical of a team's performance when I didn't see it

There are plenty of cynics on this forum. The actual final scoreline doesn't give an accurate reflection of the match, but may be used as a reason to continue to dismiss the Women's game.

At the moment, we are fortunate, the Women's Senior game is knocking on the door of qualifying for a major championship.

[paudie]

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/fixturesresults/round=2381/match=85415/report=rp.html

uefa.com report on the game.

Katie Taylor scored but was sent off in the 2nd half.

[Numero]

Yes I see from the quotes on FAI website that Noel King was questioning the quality of the refereeing. Also he was making excuses, then saying he wasnt making excuses. It's real loser-talk.

[nemi7]

Yes I see from the quotes on FAI website that Noel King was questioning the quality of the refereeing. Also he was making excuses, then saying he wasnt making excuses. It's real loser-talk.

couldnt agree more. its about time we stopped celebrating mediocrity. Its all well and good praising players when they do well but I hav yet to hear him criticising his players, and thats what players need to hear now and again.

i wonder how pi**ed off olivia was at being left out..nice one kinger talkin her outta retirement to warm the bench.

[KevB76]

Yes I see from the quotes on FAI website that Noel King was questioning the quality of the refereeing. Also he was making excuses, then saying he wasnt making excuses. It's real loser-talk.

I heard the Russian ref was very suspect, for example allegedly gave the thumbs up to Italian players following the sending off, and the 2nd yellow was very suspect to say the least. Or so I've been told......

[Numero]

That seems very serious. Noel King said on FAI website that he can't allow himself to believe it was anything other than poor refereeing. If there was anything untoward in the referee's display which suggests kickbacks - allegedly, allegedly -then King should not be coming out with public statements that he won't allow himself to believe it was anything other than poor reffing. He should just say he's asked UEFA to review the ref's performance, if he even has, and wait for the **** to fly.

[Jaws!]

I'm going to suggest that the fact the Ireland made no substitutions for the entire game had something to do with it. Italy had made all three before they got on the scoresheet. You could have the world's fittest team, but playing with ten players for the last 30 minutes, they're going to be tired, physically and mentally. Especially with no substitutions.
The team looked fairly well organised defensively against Arsenal, even with a rake of substitutions during that match, so why none in the Italy game?
Does he really believe that outside the first 11, no-one is good enough to replace someone in the starting 11, even if they're worn down to their socks after 80-90 minutes?

[cityman]

Maybe the manager thought he could do that because he got away with it against Holland in the 0-0 draw in the friendly. What's the thinking in making no substitutions in a friendly match? I mean you have got to see if some of these players are good enough to compete with stronger countries players. Maybe the manager thinks its better if the just sit there and watch!!
As for the game in Italy, the manager seemed to put a fair bit of blame on the referee(didn't see any highlights-I can't comment), but not to make any changes against Italy! I just don't get that.
We were 1-0 up with 8 mins to go, three fresh players would have gone a long way to geting a result there.
It will be interesting against the Swedish team.

[libero4]

Its hard to know what is behind Kings thinking.
Couldn't understand why he made no substitutions in the friendly v Holland. Surely this is why we play friendlies. He seems more interested in his record than finding out about the strength of his panel.
Overall he hasn't done too bad a job but we could be doing far better. There are many good players throughout the country who have never been looked at. Has he ever been to a club game outside of Dublin? In Cork we wonder if he exists.
My main concern with the Irish team is that because of the negative way they play they couldn't possibly ever win anything major. They hardly play anyone up front. They depend on loading midfield and getting a break or scoring from a set piece. Apart from Olivia he has nothing serious to offer in attack. There is a distinct lack of pace in the team and the "imported" players are no great shakes. We definitely have better at home.

[Numero]

Agree with you Libero. Can you believe keeping OliviaOToole on the bench? King must be completely stupid - she is a veteran for sure, but she's a bloodly brilliant one. There are also a couple of young talents in the squad who look very promosing, notably Noelle Murray.
Yes, pace really lacking in 'first 11'. And by the way, King hardly goes to club games in Dublin either, so Cork is not alone.

[HarpoJoyce]

Magyarország (Hungary) 0:2 Rep. of Ireland

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3097&Itemid=9
"Noel King's Republic of Ireland women's side battled a strong Hungary team to take all three points in the UEFA Championship qualifier in Miskolc, Hungary this afternoon. Michele O' Brien opened the scoring after 18 seconds while Stefanie Curtis scored with a sublime effort early in the second half. Arsenal's Emma Byrne produced a extraordinary save from the penalty spot to deny the home side a goal late on."

Republic of Ireland: Emma Byrne, Marie Curtin, Sharon Boyle, Yvonne Tracy, Niamh Fahey, Sonya Hughes, Ciara Grant (C), Aine O' Gorman, Edel Malone, Michele O' Brien, Stefanie Curtis

Substitutes: Alisha Moran (on for O'Gorman, 89 mins), Olivia O' Toole (on for Boyle, 88 mins), Meabh de Burca (on for Grant, 87 mins), Seana Cooke, Lynn Bradley, Claire Scanlon

Rep. of Irl firmly establish themselves in the Qualifier Group and continue there challenge for Euro '09 in Finland. They've now done the double over Romania and Hungary.

[Block G Raptor]

Superb stuff. Looking good to qualify now? that slip up against Italy is really going to bite them though

[Torn-Ado]

Pity Sweden are going to annihilate them at home and away.

[HarpoJoyce]

Superb stuff. Looking good to qualify now? that slip up against Italy is really going to bite them though

Sweden will be tough to get points off, but we play them late in the competition. They may field a weakened squad.

To guarantee third qualifier I believe we still need one, maybe two more points. The third place qualifier's points, doesn't include the last place side. So RoI have six points at present I think alot of 3rd place teams will finish on that or greater. But they have put themselves into a very good chance to qualify.

[paudie]

Ireland won 2-0:D

Great result. Well done ladies.

[HarpoJoyce]

Sweden 1:0 Italy

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/fixturesresults/round=2381/match=85418/index.html
"An injury-time goal from substitute Jessica Landström kept up Sweden's 100 per cent record in UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ qualifying Group 2 and saw off nearest rivals Italy...."
"...One win away
The result means that if Sweden beat Ireland in Dublin on 25 June, they will qualify for the finals next summer in Finland with two games to spare. Italy have the consolation of knowing that if they win in Romania on 24 May and Ireland lose to Sweden, the Azzurre will be assured of a play-off place in the autumn."

[HarpoJoyce]

Rep. of Irl : Sweden
Wed. 25th June 19:45
Carlilse Grounds, Bray.

Squad announced for the fixture
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3272
Kinger speaks “This is a massive task but we’re confident of our ability to perform well against the top nations. We have the experience of playing against the United States and Germany over the past couple of years and that will stand to us against the Swedes,” he said.

“Our spirit is always first-class, we have some established players playing at a very high level in club football and some young Girls starting to make the breakthrough on the International stage.”

The Swedish view of it
http://www.svenskfotboll.se/t2.aspx?p=152141&x=1&a=1136260

UEFA's run-down of all the groups.
http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=704640,printer.htmx

[ifk101]

That's a strong and experienced Swedish squad for the game. Lotta Schelin is a player to look out for. She's the Zlatan Ibrahimovic of the women's team :D.

I'd take it the Irish girls are all in their "off-season"?

[Jaws!]

Ifk:

Is that match being broadcast on swedish tv or online? I know the Swedish FA sometimes have a live videostream from their matches online, but I haven't been able to find anything on their website...

[ifk101]

Ifk:

Is that match being broadcast on swedish tv or online? I know the Swedish FA sometimes have a live videostream from their matches online, but I haven't been able to find anything on their website...

I don't think so but I've sent the Swedish FA an email about it and I'll post here their response.

[ifk101]

According to the Swedish FA, there's no plans on the Irish side to show this game and none of the Swedish channels are prepared to meet the costs required.

[redron]

According to the Swedish FA, there's no plans on the Irish side to show this game and none of the Swedish channels are prepared to meet the costs required.

Of course they're not!
The match clashes with the first semi-final of the men's European Championship (Germany v Turkey), so there'd be no viewers!:eek:
What bright spark scheduled this one???:confused:
Really, the match should have been played on monday.

[HarpoJoyce]

Of course they're not!
The match clashes with the first semi-final of the men's European Championship (Germany v Turkey), so there'd be no viewers!:eek:
What bright spark scheduled this one???:confused:
Really, the match should have been played on monday.

Wednesday would be an official UEFA date.
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/fixturesresults/index.html
There are a number of other qualifiers on this date aswell.

Your best bet for this time of year was last weekend, but that was a busy week domestically for both genders aswell.

Swedens schedule is pretty tight aswel.

[redron]

Wednesday would be an official UEFA date.
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/fixturesresults/index.html
There are a number of other qualifiers on this date aswell.

Your best bet for this time of year was last weekend, but that was a busy week domestically for both genders aswell.

Swedens schedule is pretty tight aswel.

The difference being that the other matches taking place today have afternoon kick-offs. The Ireland v. Sweden match kicks off at exactly the same time as the men's Euro semi-final!
Ridiculous!

[gspain]

More or less every seat in the Carlisle Grounds was taken last night on both sides. Great crowd but disappointing performance and result.

Now everybody is/was saying we need a point for a playoff spot. This I agree is unlikely in the return leg however my reckoning is that we are in a strong position to claim a playoff spot regardless.

The 4 best 3rd placed teams based on results v the top 4 in their group get playoff berths.

We have 6 points from the 2 Romania games. Even allowing for a defeat in Sweden here are my rankings


Czech Rep will be in top 4

Slovenia need a draw v Greece to pip us unless Serbia can win by 2 goals in
Greece which would leave Slovenia on 6 points as well. Still unlikely for us to pip them.

Group 3 is very tight - if you eliminate the 6 points every team got from Wales and assume Germany beat Switzerland it will take Switzerland and Belgium both winning in Holland to get ahead of us. The Dutch have drawn away to both and 2 home wins gives them runners up. Good chance this group won't have a best 3rd placed team.

If Scotland beat Slovakia at home they have us on Goal Difference.

Either Austria away or Poland at home would need to beat Russia to deny us. 2 wins for Russia would leave them playing Norway at home with top spot still up for grabs. Looking at the group without knowing anything about women's football in Austria, Poland or Russia you'd have to fancyRussia to beat both sides.

In summary I think we can have real hope that we will squeeze into the playoffs

[HarpoJoyce]

In case any missed it and was watching some other football. The Rep. of Irl lost 5:0 to Sweden on Wednesday.

www.FAI.ie
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3283

UEFA.com
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/fixturesresults/round=2381/match=85420/report=rp.html

Swedish FA
http://www.svenskfotboll.se/t2.aspx?p=152141&x=1&a=1137799

Noel King Prognosis
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3285


I agree with gspain in that group 3,4, and 6 are vunerable.

There is an opportunity to qualify as a best placed (4 out of 6) third place. Discounting the last placed teams' results. Thing is, alot of teams are heading for 6 points which RoI have. So can the 'Girls in Green pull off a shock draw in Sweden in front of a large home crowd? It's unlikely but a strong performance in Sweden will be very favourable in comparision to other 6 pointers.

We play Sweden late 02/10/2008 by then a number of significant matches in other groups will have taken place. We may know what we need from the Sweden game to qualify for the play-off.

The Swdes gave an early attendance of 1700, FAI 1450.

[corkrebel]

I hope Ireland do get into the playoff, but I have to wonder if we got into the Euro's would we get hammered, I hope I'm wrong and I would love to see the team qualify and do well but would we be out of our dept?
Sweden never really looked in trouble against us. And while we have some excellent players in our starting line up, I don't think we had great options to come on from the bench. Olivia O Toole was about the only one who I thought could come on and do something, that was at 3 down.
Maybe it is the way the squad was selected. I think there were 8 defenders in the squad and obviously 2 keepers that leaves only 8 in total for 4 midfield and two striker positions leaving only 2 subs who could come on who weren't defenders.
Again I hope Ireland qualify and I hope they prove they are capable of holding their own in a tournament like the Euro, I don't mind being proved wrong if it means the team are doing well

[munsterman]

Some pictures from teh Ireland V Sweden available by clicking in the link below
http://www.munsterspride.com/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=361

[gspain]

More or less every seat in the Carlisle Grounds was taken last night on both sides. Great crowd but disappointing performance and result.

Now everybody is/was saying we need a point for a playoff spot. This I agree is unlikely in the return leg however my reckoning is that we are in a strong position to claim a playoff spot regardless.

The 4 best 3rd placed teams based on results v the top 4 in their group get playoff berths.

We have 6 points from the 2 Romania games. Even allowing for a defeat in Sweden here are my rankings


Czech Rep will be in top 4

Slovenia need a draw v Greece to pip us unless Serbia can win by 2 goals in
Greece which would leave Slovenia on 6 points as well. Still unlikely for us to pip them.

Group 3 is very tight - if you eliminate the 6 points every team got from Wales and assume Germany beat Switzerland it will take Switzerland and Belgium both winning in Holland to get ahead of us. The Dutch have drawn away to both and 2 home wins gives them runners up. Good chance this group won't have a best 3rd placed team.

If Scotland beat Slovakia at home they have us on Goal Difference.

Either Austria away or Poland at home would need to beat Russia to deny us. 2 wins for Russia would leave them playing Norway at home with top spot still up for grabs. Looking at the group without knowing anything about women's football in Austria, Poland or Russia you'd have to fancyRussia to beat both sides.

In summary I think we can have real hope that we will squeeze into the playoffs

looking a bit better now for qualification for the playoffs

Russia have beaten Austria and Holland drew with Switzerland.

If Russia win or draw in Poland later this month and Germany win in Switzerland (a draw between the Dutch and Belgians will also do us no matter what the Swiss do) on October 1st then we make the playoffs.

[gspain]

Looking even better now for qualification for the playoffs. Russia won in Poland as expected which eliminates that group.

A 8-0 defeat or better in Sweden will do us now.

This is thanks to Serbia winning 5-0 in Greece thus moving ahead of Greece thus counting Serbia's win over Slovenia and thus moving them back to 6 points. Otherwise Serbia would have been bottom and Slovenia's results v Greece would have counted instead. Slovenia cannot improve their record now v the top 4. Their GD is -14. Our is -6 v the top 4 with a goal more scored. So anything better than an 8-0 defeat will do. Simple eh!!!!

A Germany win in Switzerland would also put us through to the playoffs. This would be quite likely.

The final series of games are on Wednesday next.

[HarpoJoyce]

Looking even better now for qualification for the playoffs. Russia won in Poland as expected which eliminates that group.
........

The final series of games are on Wednesday next.

Thanks for making your post very simple to understand.

Same Sh!t, Different day.
Sweden versus Republic of Ireland
EM-kval grupp 2
1 oktober, kl 19.00
Vångavallen, Trelleborg
Sverige-Irland
Swedish Fa website
http://www.svenskfotboll.se/t2.aspx?p=152141&x=1&a=1146621

FAI site incl. squad
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3652
"..Republic of Ireland Squad:
Emma Byrne - Arsenal ; Lynn Bradley - Raheny United; Niamh Fahey - Arsenal
Yvonne Tracy - Arsenal ;Mary Therese McDonnell - Boston Renegades
Stephanie Roche – Dundalk City WFC ;Alisha Moran - Fulham
Jemma Connor - West Bromwich Albion ;Sharon Boyle - Raheny United
Aine O’Gorman - Stella Maris ;Denise Thomas – Boston Renegades
Meabh de Burca - Salthill Devon ;Sonya Hughes - Dundalk
Ciara Grant -Arsenal ; Stefanie Curtis - Bristol Rovers;
Michele O’Brien - Jesery Sky Blue ;Olivia O’Toole - Raheny;
Ciara McCormack - FC Larvik (Norway)

UEFA's run down of the groups at present
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/news/kind=1/newsid=754895.html

Is this match 19:00 Irish time?
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/fixturesresults/round=2381/match=85422/index.html

[Torn-Ado]

Game is live on telly here. The Irish burds are playing really well. Getting a few shots in. Only 11 mins gone though.

[Curler]

fulltime. 1-0 to Sweeden

[munsterman]

That's great news that Ireland are into the play offs, still some tough teams there but hopefully the girls can get through. Does anyone know why the likes of Marie Curtin, Edel Malone, Katie Taylor and Sue Byrne weren't even in the squad?
I'm assuming they weren't all dropped?
Maybe Taylor had boxing and the others are in the middle of college season?
Considering three of them played full 90 in last game against Sweden he would hardly drop them out of the squad completely?

[gspain]

Well done to the girls in green.

Draw is on Monday.

[Dodge]

I think taylor was suspended (having been sent off earlier in the campaign)