Any hope Northern Ireland had of progressing into the UEFA Women’s EURO quarter-finals has all but faded as they suffered their second defeat at St. Mary’s this evening.
Kenny Shiels’ side went down 2-0 to Austria, a result which leaves them bottom of their group after two games with zero points.
Forced into making several changes after injuries sustained in their opening game, Northern Ireland lined-up defensively with a back-five for much of the game. They failed to make anything of some well-worked build-up play with no-one really getting into the box and being forced into shots from distance. It took 18 minutes for Austria to break down that defence. Demi Vance made a rash challenge on Julia Hickelsberger-Füller and Austria were awarded a free-kick on the right. Katharina Schiechtl found herself at the front of the pack ahead of Northern Ireland keeper Jackie Burns and she tapped home. Northern Ireland will again be disappointed with their defending as Schiechtl appeared unmarked.
Northern Ireland found it hard to get out of their own half during the next 10 minutes and were grateful when the cooling break arrived, much needed as the sun beat down on the pitch. The words of head coach Kenny Shiels in the break clearly had an impact and Northern Ireland were sharper with some good play down the right through Lauren Wade, though on the few occasions she found herself with options in the box, she still chose to shoot from distance, providing little challenge for Arsenal’s Manuela Zinsberger in the Austrian goal.
In the dying minutes of the first half, Burns was forced into an excellent save after her clearance went straight to Barbara Dunst. The keeper had to back peddle and tip the ball over the bar. At half-time, Austria were narrowly ahead and fairly so.
The second half didn’t see a great deal of action. After 63 minutes, Burns fumbled the ball but did enough to tip it over and with just over 20 minutes to play, Liverpool’s Rachel Furness’ looping header bounced off the top netting and out.
The players were visibly tired in the last 10 minutes though the sun had disappeared behind the clouds. Austria were the ones to take advantage as Katharina Naschenweng’s pace beat Sarah McFadden, who had been excellent in defence, leaving her one-on-one with Burns. The Northern Ireland keeper wasn’t able to get down to keep the ball out Austria completed a 2-0 win.
The late goal felt harsh on a Northern Ireland side who had given it everything in the absence of some of their best attacking players. They have one more game to end their first European finals with their heads held high which is against England on Friday.
Austria enjoyed their win, singing with their fans for some time after the final whistle blew while Zinsberger made a big deal of Player of the Match Dunst. They face Norway next knowing that they can still qualify for the quarter-finals if things go their way.