Women's European Championship / reaction: Noel King had targeted 13 points in the qualification race for Euro 2009 and he maintains that total is still achievable despite defeat to Italy last night.

Having gone 2-0 down at Belfield Park, his Republic of Ireland side showed tremendous battling qualities to pull a goal back 15 minutes from time.

But despite battering the Italian defence in the closing stages Ireland were unable to breach the visiting defence that one last time to salvage a point.

"I'm bitterly disappointed as we could have got something out of the game," said manager King.  "But we've achieved another step forward and made solid progress.

"We've competed against a top ranked team and more or less held our own.  Yes they're a better team than us but we could have beaten them.  Especially had we not conceded the first goal which was soft.

"They were technically superb but that didn't faze us.  The belief in my team is hard to quantify.  Our girls need to have that belief.

"When they play like they did in the last 20 minutes with no fear and with abandon, they pass the ball around and create chances.  They look a good side.

"I'm probably responsible for restricting them a little in the first half because you don't beat a team like Italy by charging at them.

"We had to bide our time and build our way through the game, take the sting out of the Italians.

"Lots of teams would have folded 2-0 down. But not us. Hopefully our performance during that final 20 minutes will carry us on the next time and take us further."

Despite defeat, it is still early days in the race for Finland 2009 and Ireland are already off and running having beaten Hungary in their opening game.  King, though, is not underestimating the task ahead.

The 13 points, which he believes are obtainable, should secure a play-off spot but he had factored in drawing with the Italians last night.

"We are a better team that people give us credit for," added King.  "The 13 points are still there. But now we have to go to Italy and get a draw, and maybe hold Sweden here too.

"The challenge for us now is to beat Romania twice and Hungary again.  That's a big challenge, a huge challenge.  But we need to get forward and to do that we must beat those teams. This will lift morale."

The Republic of Ireland's next European qualifier is away to Romania on August 25th.