WOMEN'S UNDER-17 WORLD CUP/Rep of Ireland 1 Canada 0:THE REPUBLIC of Ireland defeated Canada on Thursday courtesy of a stunning strike from Siobhán Killeen in the 75th minute at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad. The Irish players dug deep to carve out a decisive victory which puts them top of the group.
Group D looks set to go down to the wire as Ghana stunned Brazil by beating them 1-0 at the Larry Gomes Stadium. All four teams in the group have three points and Ireland go into their final group game against Ghana on Monday knowing a victory will be enough to send them through to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Ireland started brightly and defender Jennifer Byrne almost opened the scoring but her header from Aileen Gilroy corner’s kick was cleared off the line by a Canadian defender.
Canadian striker Haisha Cantave was causing all sorts of problems for the Irish defence and her first opportunity came in the 20th minute but her effort was well saved by Reading’s Grace Moloney.
Killala’s Aileen Gilroy then unleashed a spectacular effort after 28 minutes when she ran on to a Stacie Donnelly pass outside the box – but her powerful strike flashed just over the bar.
Canada’s Cantave will be disappointed not to have put her side in front after 34 minutes when she had a free header in front of goal but again Moloney was well positioned. Four minutes later Canada’s Caroline Beaulne came agonisingly close as she burst through the Irish cover but her left-footed shot went inches wide of the post.
Megan Campbell came to Ireland’s rescue in the 49th minute as she cleared off the line after Cantave broke through the defensive cover. Irish captain Dora Gorman almost grabbed a superb goal in the 56th minute when her 25-yard shot was saved by D’Angelo.
One minute later Killeen showed a quick turn of pace to make her way into Canada’s box but her effort went straight to the goalkeeper. Moloney was in super form and she came to Ireland’s rescue in the 61st and 66th minute as she made two fantastic saves from Campbell and then Cantave.
But Ireland took the crucial lead after 75 minutes when Killeen collected the ball in her opponents’ box and the Raheny midfielder showed great strength to hold off her marker before clipping the ball into the top corner of the net.
Aileen Gilroy went close in the 80th minute while goalkeeper Moloney produced another superb save to foil Cantave’s effort.
In the closing stages, Ireland coolly played possession football in their opponents’ half as they hung on to record what proved an important victory.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Grace Moloney, Ciara O’Brien, Megan Campbell, Jessica Gleeson, Jennifer Byrne, Ciara Grant, Aileen Gilroy, Dora Gorman (capt), Denise O’Sullivan, Siobhán Killeen (Harriet Scott 89 mins), Stacie Donnelly. Subs not used: Zoe Boyd, Rianna Jarrett, Tanya Kennedy, Kerry Glynn, Amanda Budden, Claire Shine, Rebecca Kearney, Jillian Maloney, Emma Hansberry.
CANADA: D’Angelo; Kovacs, Setterlund, Clarke, Achille; McNicoll, Simpson, Campbell, Beaulne; Ghoneim, Cantave.
Referee: Sachiko Yamagishi.
