FIFA WOMEN'S UNDER-17 WORLD CUP Republic of Ireland 3 Ghana 0:THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland women's under-17 side continued their World Cup odyssey with a superb victory over Ghana in their final Fifa World Cup, Group D match at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago on Monday.
The win, coupled with Brazil’s 2-0 success over Canada in the same group, means Ireland advance to the quarter-finals as group winners and will now meet Japan on Friday at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad.
In a bruising encounter, goals from Megan Campbell, Stacie Donnelly and Aileen Gilroy secured the three points.
With just five minutes played, Ireland were ahead courtesy of a free-kick from dead-ball specialist Campbell. The lively Denise O’Sullivan was hauled down on the left and Campbell’s left-footed effort sailed over stranded goalkeeper Otoo.
The front pair of Donnelly and O’Sullivan was causing the defence all sorts of problems early on. After 19 minutes, Reading striker Donnelly put in O’Sullivan, whose shot from 15 yards went just over.
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 Grace Moloney.
With Ireland enjoying large periods of possession in key areas, Siobhán Killeen came close in the 28th minute when her effort went agonisingly over.
Ireland doubled their advantage in the 36th minute through Donnelly when O’Sullivan caused mayhem in the Ghanaian box after she chased down defender Antwi in the right corner. The defender played it to Otoo, who returned the ball to Antwi and, under pressure from O’Sullivan, the Ghana defender helped it on to Donnelly, who stroked the ball to the roof of the net from 10 yards.
In the closing stages of the first half Ireland were in complete control, but they almost threw Ghana a lifeline in the 42nd minute when Gilroy brought down captain Sesu in the box and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. However, midfielder Mary Essiful put the spot-kick to the left of Moloney’s post.
Ireland started the second half strongly and came close early on through O’Sullivan, who was once again chasing down loose back-passes, while Campbell forced Otoo into a finger-tip save from a corner in the 58th minute.
In a frantic period, with both sides playing free-flowing, attacking football, defender Jennifer Byrne came close from a Campbell throw in the 63rd minute, while seconds later Sumala’s effort was comfortably saved by Moloney.
Two minutes later, a wicked shot from Okyere from outside the Irish box was tipped around the post by the influential Moloney, and from the resulting corner, Donnelly was on hand to clear a goal-bound effort.
Okyere thought she had pulled one back in the 75th minute when she challenged Moloney in the box but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the net-minder.
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 Byrne found Gilroy in space and her first-time shot gave Otoo no chance.
Ireland finished the game strongly and held on for an historic victory which sees them top Group D ahead of Brazil, Canada and Ghana. Only Japan can prevent a dream semi-final place.
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, Stacie Donnelly. Subs: Zoe Boyd, Rianna Jarrett (for Donnelly, 69 mins), Tanya Kennedy, Kerry Glynn, Amanda Budden, Claire Shine, Harriet Scott (for Killeen, 75 mins), Rebecca Kearney, Jillian Maloney, Emma Hansberry (for Gilroy 86 mins).
GHANA: Otoo, Yiadom, Addai, Coleman, Sumaila, Okyere, Sesu (capt), Danso, Essiful, Antwi, Abdul-Rahman. Subs: Simpson, Adams, Djabaah, Okyere, Cudjoe, Antwi, Mailk-Jebdon, Asante, Kolli, Issah.
Referee: Estela Alvarez.
