Wales claimed a fourth-place finish in their inaugural appearance in the Pinatar Cup in Spain, after a 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland.
A stunning half-volley from Denise O’Sullivan was enough for the Irish to gain victory against a Wales team who were far below the standards we’ve come to expect from them over the past year and a half.
Gemma Grainger will be pleased with how this tournament, however. Beating Scotland and taking Belgium to penalties shows the growth and improvement since her appointment, and they will hope they can take this momentum into their next game, which is a World Cup qualifier against France in April.
Ireland had the first opportunity of the game in the second minute. Striker Kyra Carusa shrugged off Gemma Evans and rounded Olivia Clark but could only fire her effort into the side netting.
Wales then grew into the game and targeted Ireland down the right flank, with Ceri Holland being a key outlet for seemingly every good Wales attack, but no real chances were created.
Instead, Ireland took the lead after a defensive error. A loose pass from Rhiannon Roberts was seized upon by Denise O’Sullivan, who unleashed a powerful half volley that ended up in the top corner, leaving Clark with no chance of saving it.
After the goal it was Ireland who took full control. Getting to every second ball and really pushing Wales deeper into their half.
Ceri Holland had the best chance of the half for Wales. A corner was not cleared by Ireland and the ball fell to the Liverpool forward, but her shot flashed past the far post.
However, the girls in green had a guilt edged opportunity to double their lead before half-time. Captain Katie McCabe delivered a pinpoint cross which found Niamh Fahey, who was completely unmarked in the middle of the six-yard box. Somehow, the centre half managed to guide her header over the bar, and Wales went into the break lucky to only be down by one goal.
Wales started the second half well and had their best chance of the match ten minutes after the restart. Sophie Ingle made room for herself, and her effort from 30-yards clipped the crossbar and went over.
But again, after that chance Ireland controlled the game and were under no real pressure, and could have doubled their lead again through Lucy Quinn, but her header just went over Clark’s goal.
Wales had opportunities towards the end of the game to draw level. A penalty appeal fell on death ears, and no one was on the end of Elise Hughes’ cross, and Wales had to settle for fourth place in the Pinatar Cup.
Player of the Match: Ceri Holland
There was no real quality in the Welsh team today, but Holland was a bright spark until she was subbed off. She was an outlet down the right and was not afraid to take on her marker, but it just wasn’t hers and Wales’ day.
Wales
Olivia Clark (GK), Charlie Estcourt, Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Evans (Anna Filbey, 62’), Rachel Rowe (Lily Woodham, 62’), Sophie Ingle ©, Angharad James, Jess Fishlock (Helen Ward, 70’), Ceri Holland (Elise Hughes, 70’), Ffion Morgan (Kayleigh Green, 70’), Tash Harding (Georgia Walters, 62’)
Unused Subs: Laura O’Sullivan (GK), Poppy Soper (GK), Chloe Bull, Meg Wynne, Carrie Jones, Morgan Rogers
Yellow Cards: Lily Woodham (79’)
Republic of Ireland
Courtney Brosnan (GK) (Eve Badana, 64’), Niamh Fahey, Louise Quinn, Savannah McCarthy, Jessica Ziu, Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe ©, Heather Payne (Leanne Kiernan, 64’), Lucy Quinn (Amber Barrett, 85’), Kyra Carusa (Abbie Larkin, 46’)
Unused Subs: Megan Walsh (GK), Áine O’Gorman, Jamie Finn, Claire Walsh, Isibeal Atkinson, Ellen Molloy, Chloe Mustaki
Yellow Cards: Savannah McCarthy (88’)
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