WE DESERVE TO BE AT THIS LEVEL
Italy 0 Republic of Ireland 0
EILEEN GLEESON believes Ireland’s performance in Florence shows they deserve their League A status.
The Girls in Green claimed an impressive scoreless draw away to Italy, who finished runners-up to Spain in their Nations League campaign last year.
And they might have won it if an offside flag didn’t rob Liverpool striker Leanne Kiernan of a comeback goal.
“I think it’s a really positive time for the team,” said Gleeson. “We wanted to be in League A, we’re here and I think we’ve shown tonight that we certainly belong there.”
Gleeson made some big changes to the team that won six from six on their way to promotion last year in the Nations League – the most notable of those coming in defence.
The switch to four at the back was seamless, with Niamh Fahey and Caitlin Hayes pairing together for the first time in central defence.
Jessie Stapleton was a surprise inclusion in midfield but the West Ham teenager, currently on loan at Reading, looked at home in the centre alongside the experienced Megan Connolly.
There was a welcome return from a long-term injury for Jess Ziu while Aoife Mannion and Kiernan also made comebacks when they came off the bench.
In a tight first-half, there were opportunities for Kyra Carusa, albeit on the stretch, and Martina Piemonte but the goalkeepers at both ends of the pitch made comfortable saves.
The introduction on the hour of Amber
Barrett and Kiernan sharpened up the Irish attack while Lucy Quinn, on at half-time, also made a nuisance of herself in the final third.
She should have done better on 72 minutes when, with Barrett to her right, she opted for a shot from 20 yards that lacked the pace and accuracy to trouble goalkeeper Katja Schroffenegger.
Kiernan had the ball in the back of the net two minutes later but her celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee’s flag.
It looked an extremely tight call and the move itself deserved a goal.
Payne sent Barrett racing down the right and her inch-perfect centre was tucked home at the back post by Kiernan.
Gleeson wasn’t convinced by the decision. “I haven’t seen it back,” she said. “I can only go off what the referee has blown up at. If she is offside then I think it’s super tight.”
Italy had a couple of late chances to win it. Michela Catena spurned the best when she cut inside Payne but fired high over the bar (below).