Women's Under-17 qualifier - Rep of Ireland 2 Sweden 1:ONE OF the greatest superpowers in the world of women's soccer fell yesterday as the Republic of Ireland under-17 side came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory against Sweden at the elite qualifying phase of the European Championship in the Crimea, Ukraine.
It is the first time that an Irish women’s team have qualified for a major finals and they will now face Germany in the Uefa Championship semi-final in June.
Sweden took the lead as early as the third minute when Magdalena Ericsson bundled in an early corner but Noel King’s side battled hard and they were rewarded with second-half goals from substitute Rianna Jarrett from Wexford and defender Megan Campbell from Dublin’s St Francis FC.
Ireland went into the game knowing that only a victory would ensure qualification to the four-team finals in June and they got off to the worst possible start after three minutes when Swedish defender Ericsson was on-hand to force home the corner from close range.
Ireland responded superbly to the early set-back as they dominated possession in all areas of the field and Rianna Barrett levelled the game in the 58th minute with a well-taken penalty.
The winning goal came in the 65th minute when Ireland quickly turned their defence into attack and as Stacie Donnelly held the ball up at the edge of Sweden’s box, she was clumsily knocked by Swedish defender Amanda Ilestedt, who was booked in the process. From the resulting free-kick Megan Campbell unleashed a pin-point left-footed shot which nestled into the bottom corner of the net.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:Moloney, Campbell, Byrne, Gleeson, O'Brien, Grant, Gilroy, Gorman, O'Sullivan, Donnelly (Jarrett, 49).
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