Ghana 0 Republic of Ireland 3:The Republic of Ireland ladies under-17 side continued their historic World Cup journey with a 3-0 victory over Ghana in their final Fifa World Cup, Group D match.
The result, coupled with Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Canada in the same group, means the young ‘Girls in Green’ advance to the quarter-finals as group winners and will now meet Japan in the quarter-final this Friday at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad.
In a bruising encounter, goals from Megan Campbell, Stacie Donnelly and Aileen Gilroy secured the three precious points required to secure progress.
With just five minutes played, Ireland were ahead courtesy of a sublime free-kick from dead-ball specialist, Campbell. The lively Denise O’Sullivan was hauled down on the left-wing and Campbell was on-hand to send her left-footed free-kick over the stranded keeper, Otoo, and into the top corner.
Ghana’s first attempt on goal came in the 23rd minute when Yiadom let-fly from 30 yards but her shot was comfortably saved by the ever-reliable Grace Moloney in goal.
Midway through the first half, Ireland enjoyed large periods of possession in key areas of the field in a patient approach.
Ireland doubled their advantage in the 36th minute through Donnelly when O’Sullivan caused mayhem in the Ghanaian box after she chased down her defender, Antwi in the right corner. Ghana defender, Antwi played it to her keeper, who returned to the ball to Antwi and under pressure from O’Sullivan. The Ghana defender helped it on to Donnelly who stroked the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards.
In the closing stages of the first half, Ireland were in complete control but they almost allowed Ghana back into the game in the 42nd minute when Gilroy brought down Ghana's captain, Sesu in the box and the referee made no hesitation with awarding a penalty. Ghana midfielder, Mary Essiful put the resulting spot-kick to the left of Moloney’s post.
Okyere thought she had pulled one back for Ghana in the 75th minute when she challenged Moloney in the Irish box but the referee made no hesitation and ruled the goal out for fouling the Reading keeper.
Ireland wrapped up the win in the 77th minute with a wonder strike from Gilroy from nearly 30 yards out on the right wing. A pin-point ball from Jennifer Byrne found Gilroy in space and her first-time shot gave Otoo no chance as the ball nestled in the back of the net. The Killala midfielder was left shaken following her strike after a late tackle from a Ghanaian defender as she left the field to be replaced by Emma Hansberry minutes later.
Republic of Ireland (v Ghana):
Grace Moloney, Ciara O'Brien, Megan Campbell, Jessica Gleeson, Jennifer Byrne, Ciara Grant, Aileen Gilroy, Dora Gorman (C), Denise O'Sullivan, Siobhán Killeen, Stacie Donnelly. Substitutes:Zoe Boyd, Rianna Jarrett (on for Donnelly, 69 mins), Tanya Kennedy, Kerry Glynn, Amanda Budden, Claire Shine, Harriet Scott (on for Killeen, 75 mins), Rebecca Kearney, Jillian Maloney, Emma Hansberry (on for Gilroy 86 mins).
Ghana: Otoo, Yiadom, Addai, Coleman, Sumaila, Okyere, Sesu (C)Danso, Essiful, Antwi, Abdul-Rahman. Substitutes: Simpson, Adams, Djabaah, Okyere, Cudjoe, Antwi, Mailk-Jebdon, Asante, Kolli, Issah.
Referee: Estela Alvarez