Republic of Ireland 0
Netherlands 4
THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Women’s Under-19 team missed out on a place in the UEFA European Championship final after losing 4-0 to the Netherlands in Mjondalen, Norway.
Dave Connell’s team hardly had a chance to settle into the game when they fell behind following a shot from Vivianne Miedema after she controlled a long pass from Danique Kerkdijk.
There were only five minutes on the clock when the ball somehow trickled over the goal line. But Ireland rallied back with Lauren Dwyer shooting just wide of the target after a superb solo run.
It was clear that the Netherlands were a top class team, although the work-rate of Ireland’s players was hugely impressive as they closed down space and hassled their opponents at every opportunity.
The industry of Clare Shine also saw Ireland move into goalscoring positions with the Raheny United striker twice firing shots over the crossbar after initially losing her marker in open play.
The Netherlands, however, were quick breaking forward and saw Miedema set up Jeslynn Kuijpers for their second goal on 34 minutes. Picking up a slide pass, she blasted in off the inside of the post.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time, it got worse for Connell’s team on 48 minutes when Miedema got her second goal of the game when she converted from close range after good play by Kuijpers.
It was 4-0 to the Netherlands on 55 minutes when Miedema completed her hat-trick. Controlling a high ball, she turned past her marker before drilling a low shot past goalkeeper Brooke Dunne.
Substitute Katie McCabe did give Ireland hope of completing another remarkable comeback as she twice went close with efforts, but she just couldn’t find the finish required.
Despite losing this game, and missing out on a place in the final where the Netherlands will meet Spain, the achievements of this Ireland team should not be underestimated as they made history.
Connell will have 12 members of his squad eligible for the next campaign and the performances of these girls will surely give women’s football around the country a massive lift.
Republic of Ireland: Dunne; Keenan, O’Connell, McCarthy, Wright; Mustaki (Nolan 60); Dwyer (McLaughlin 66), Connolly; Rowe, Shine, O’Connor (McCabe 50).
Netherlands: Vreugdenhil; Akkerman, Janssen, Kerdijk, Kuikstra (Peels 75); Mourmans (Bruinenberg 77), Roord, Kaagman; Kuijpers, Miedema (Beerensteyn 84), Strik.
Referee: Marija Kurtes (Germany)
Don’t buy the women’s jersey if you don’t like f€€king thing. This is the stupidest thing I have heard in a long time
Why anyone in Ireland would buy a ManU jersey is the most puzzling part of the equation for me.
My missus loves it. Madrid, Munich, Chelsea, Germany all have the exact same women’s Jersey design by Adidas last year and there wasn’t a problem
That’s what I was thinking, because I was looking on Adidas for the new Juventus jersey and it had duplicates of those jerseys everywhere
Well they’re designed for the shape of women’s bodies which women find okay but a lot of the argument is that it’s not a replica jersey really since it has a different neckline. They’re even selling it as part of their “lifestyle” range. It’s missing the black&red stripes which is part of the design influence.
This seasons Chelsea kit for women is a replica kit which is designed for a woman’s shape and doesn’t have the different neckline. Granted they actually have a women’s team too so that’s probably why they’re selling the replica women’s shirt.
Sure women don’t mind a revealing neckline when it’s bought from any of the designer fashion companies, but when what appears to be a male dominated football company releases one its suddenly sexist?
It’s really going to show off Wayne Rooney’s cleavage
Why are Adidas even releasing a statement to appease absolute morons who get offended by the shape of a cloud in the sky.
Please stop getting your information from goal.com
at least they’re giving credit
These jerseys are commonplace at latter stages of gaa championship in Croker
Were cleavage lovers polled about this shirt? I suspect they won’t be buying it – you’d see more cleavage in granny’s wooly vest.
Ehh, do women want people to admire their chests? Or are they wearing revealing clothing for temperature regulation?
I showed the jersey to my girlfriend (yes, I have a girlfriend, trust me, I’m more surprised than you are) and she said she actually liked it. She didnt have any problems with the neckline at all.
You should write to nike and tell them your missus sorted the whole thing.
It’s Adidas smart-ass!
Or adidas
You must have at least one solid color designer t-shirt in your clothes. This is the shirt that can go with jeans, pants and everything in between. long sleeved shirts