Page 7 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.9 2021-22

Late goal denies Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland 2 (Wade 46, Vance 50)
Austria 2 (Dunst 42, Enzinger 90)
Northern Ireland’s senior women’s team produced a superb performance to draw 2-2 with Austria
Women in a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifier in Belfast. It could have been even better.
Kenny Shiels’ side were leading 2-1 after 90 minutes but the Austrians, second seeds in European
Qualifying Group D behind England, dug deep and scored deep into added time to secure a point.
Austria were the better team in the first half and went in 1-0 up at the break through a
Barbara Dunst strike. However, the home side were full of energy in the second period and
deservedly went ahead thanks to cracking goals from Lauren Wade and Demi Vance. But the visitors
piled on the pressure towards the end and grabbed the leveller through substitute Stefanie Enzinger.
During the early exchanges Austria midfielder Dunst fired over the top and then Northern
Ireland keeper Jackie Burns saved a Sarah Puntigam shot. Northern Ireland’s first chance came
when Vance fired a free kick towards the back post where Sarah McFadden headed the ball against
her central defensive partner Julie Nelson and it went out for a goal kick. Burns saved well from
Austria midfielder Katharina Naschenweng, while their prolific striker Nicole Billa scuffed her shot
when the ball fell invitingly for her inside the area. On 21 minutes, Kirsty McGuinness fed Northern
Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan just outside the area but she lofted her shot well over the top.
The Northern Ireland defence, with Nelson and McFadden imperious, stood firm as Austria
pushed forward. On the half-hour mark Burns was called into action once again when she turned a
Dunst free kick around the post. Moments later, Rachel Furness found McGuinness down the left
and she sped forward, however her cross evaded Northern Ireland’s attackers.
Austria took the lead on 42 minutes when Dunst got on the end of a clever pass from Sarah
Zadrazil and stroked the ball past Burns at the near post. As half time approached, Vance fired in
another free kick which was partially cleared to McFadden whose looping header was easily
gathered by Austria keeper Manuela Zinsberger.
Just 47 seconds after the restart Wade scored a peach of an equaliser for Northern Ireland.
Furness, who had been spraying the ball around superbly all night, launched a long pass over the top
and Wade ran on to it before neatly stroking it past Zinsberger into the bottom corner.
Northern Ireland’s second goal was even better. In the 50th minute Demi Vance stepped up
to take a free kick from 35 yards and placed it superbly into the top corner.
McGuinness tried a speculative shot from distance which drifted just wide of the upright.
Moments later Burns pulled off a superb save to keep out a low drive from Marie Therese Hobinger.
She dived full length to push the midfielder’s shot around the post.
Rebecca McKenna and Vance produced a couple of fine blocks as a wounded Austria searched
for an equaliser. Zadrazil fired in a shot from distance which was well handled by Burns. On 72
minutes Vance stepped up to take another free-kick but this time her effort sailed over the bar.
Burns produced a superb double save to keep the Austrians out on 81 minutes. Firstly she
saved at Dunst’s feet 12 yards out and then she pushed away Zadrazil’s follow-up shot.
There was a major let-off for Northern Ireland minutes later when substitute Laura
Feiersinger got in behind the home defence but slid her shot wide as Burns raced towards her.
Austria continued to push forward. Puntigam blasted in a long range effort which was tipped
over by Burns before Billa smashed a shot against the bar. It was all hands on deck at this stage as
Austria turned the screw, and Northern Ireland could not hold out.
Two minutes into added time Wenninger launched the ball into the area and substitute
Enzinger was on hand to head the ball over Burns into the net. It was a real sucker punch.
Northern Ireland: Jackie Burns, Rebecca McKenna, Demi Vance, Sarah McFadden, Julie
Nelson, Kelsie Burrows, Marissa Callaghan, Rachel Furness, Kirsty McGuinness (sub Jessica Foy
87mins), Kerry Beattie (sub Emily Wilson 90mins), Lauren Wade (sub Simone Magill 79mins).
Subs not used: Becky Flaherty, Maddison Harvey-Clifford, Rachel McLaren, Emma McMaster,
Louise McDaniel, Joely Andrews, Ciara Watling.
Austria: Manuela Zinsberger, Laura Wienroither, Virginia Kirchberger, Carina Wenninger,
Verena Hanshaw, Sarah Puntigam, Katharina Naschenweng, Sarah Zadrazil, Nicole Billa, Marie
Therese Hobinger, Barbara Dunst.
(irishfa.com)
Issue no. 9 - 28 October 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk