Irish Women come from behind to snatch victory in Women's UEFA Chmapionship Qualifier
HIrish Come From Behind to Snatch Victory in Women’s UEFA Championship Opener
Sunday, April 1st, 2007
UEFA Women’s 2009 Championship Qualifier
Republic of Ireland 2-1 Hungary
Taylor 42 Pandra 38
Byrne 50
Ireland’s UEFA Championship campaign got off to the best possible start when they defeated Hungary at Tolka Park today.
It was Susan Byrne from St.Johns University in New York who scored the crucial second-half winner as they reversed a goal deficit to clinch victory in their first European Championship qualifier tie of the campaign.
The central defender was first to react when Sharon Boyle’s direct free kick into the penalty box was not dealt with convincingly by goalkeeper Szvorda and she pounced to head the loose ball into the back of the net.
Noel King’s Ireland side were caught out for some careless marking on 28 minutes when Pandra eluded her marker and gave Hungary the lead with a clever shot from close-range past Emma Byrne.
Ireland pushed for an equaliser and found it three minutes before half-time through reigning world lightweight boxing champion Katie Taylor’s thunderous 35-yard shot that struck the underside of the crossbar before going in. That goal came moments after Marie Curtin’s free-kick was tipped onto the crossbar by Szvorda in the visitors’ goal.
Ireland manager King was ecstatic about the win, admitting afterwards: “I was thrilled with the character shown by the players to come back from losing an early goal. Hopefully, we can build on this for our next game in the group against Italy on May 31st.”
“We scored two great goals in the game and this win will build confidence at this initial stage of the group. The pitch didn’t lend itself to passing football so we had to adapt our game to a more direct approach but in the end, we got the three points we were looking for.”
IRELAND: Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Niamh Fahy (Salthill Devon), Susan Byrne (St.Johns University, NY), Alisha Moran (NY Athletic Club), Sharon Boyle (Raheny United), Elaine O’Connor (Long Island Fury), Marie Curtin (Hofstra University), Ciara Grant (Arsenal), Stephanie Curtis (Bristol Academy), Olivia O’Toole (Raheny United), Katie Taylor (Peamount United).
HUNGARY: Szvorda, Kanta, Paraonu, Gasper, Sumegi, Fakabfi (Toth 60 mins), Smuczer, Vago, Sebestyen (Megyeri 70 mins), Padar, Nagy (Szeker 22 mins).
REFEREE: Marija Margareta Domjanovic (Croatia).
Issued on behalf of the Football Association of Ireland by:
Fran Whearty
Communications Executive
Football Association of Ireland
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