Page 29 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.4 2021-22

Northern Ireland hit four

Northern Ireland 4 (Callaghan 15, Furness 22, Wilson 40, Wade 69)
Luxembourg 0
Northern Ireland eased past Luxembourg in their opening FIFA Women's World Cup 2023
qualifier, Kenny Shiels' side comfortably winning the European Qualifying Group D match at
Inver Park in Larne by four goals.
In the first meaningful attack Kirsty McGuinness, who was in top form throughout the
game, raced down the left and her cross was pushed away by Luxembourg keeper Lucie Schlime
to Emily Wilson who clipped it back into her arms. Nelson then tried a clever back heel from a
Chloe McCarron cross-cum-shot which was gathered by Schlime.
On 15 minutes, Marissa Callaghan opened the scoring. Sarah McFadden headed the ball
into the danger zone and Furness just failed to connect with it, however it reached the Northern
Ireland captain and she neatly lobbed the keeper.
Jackie Burns was called into action for the first time when Luxembourg winger Kimberley
Dos Santos fired in a shot from 16 yards and it was blocked by Burns.
Northern Ireland extended their lead two minutes later when McGuinness fired in a corner
and Furness rose above the visitors' defence to powerfully head home. It was the attacking
midfielder's 32nd goal for her country.
Moments later, however, Burns had to be on her toes to stop another strike from Dos
Santos as she broke free down the left. Lauren Wade fired a great cross into the box but it was
cleared by the Luxembourg defence. From the resulting corner, Furness headed wide of the
target. Then Wade's effort from distance was grabbed by Schlime.
As half time approached the Luxembourg defence stood firm against a flurry of Northern
Ireland efforts on goal. A Callaghan header was saved, a McFadden header was cleared off the
line, a Rebecca Holloway shot was blocked, a Wilson shot was cleared off the line and, finally,
another McFadden strike was blocked. That all happened in a single attack.
Just before the break, Northern Ireland went 3-0 up. Furness struck the post with a free
kick and Wilson was on hand to hammer in the rebound. It was her first senior international goal.
On 51 minutes Northern Ireland were awarded a penalty when a Wilson shot was handled
inside the area by Jessica Berscheid, however Furness clipped the spot kick off the base of the
post.
A sweeping move down the left resulted in Northern Ireland's fourth on 69 minutes.
Eventually a Beattie shot was blocked and the ball fell to Lauren Wade who smashed it into the
net.
Another decent delivery from McGuinness was met at the back post by Wade but she
steered her shot into the side netting.
In the 82nd minute McGuinness, who was fed by substitute Louise McDaniel, unleashed a
superb shot which cannoned off the bar. Northern Ireland continued to push forward, however
they had to settle for the four goals.
Northern Ireland: Jacqueline Burns, Rebecca McKenna, Rebecca Holloway, Sarah
McFadden (sub Nadene Caldwell 75mins), Julie Nelson (sub Caitlin McGuinness 84mins), Chloe
McCarron, Marissa Callaghan (sub Louise McDaniel 75mins), Lauren Wade, Rachel Furness
(sub Demi Vance 60mins), Kirsty McGuinness, Emily Wilson (sub Kerry Beattie 60mins). Subs
not used: Becky Flaherty, Maddison Harvey-Clifford, Kelsie Burrows, Caragh Milligan, Laura
Rafferty, Danielle Maxwell, Ciara Watling.
Luxembourg: Lucie Schlime, Isabel Albert (sub Gabriela De Lemos 58mins), Jessica
Berscheid, Emma Kremer (sub Noemie Raths 78mins), Jill De Bruyn (sub Noemie Tiberi
57mins), Laura Miller, Edina Kocan, Marisa Soares Marques, Marta Estevez Garcia,
Kimberley Dos Santos (sub Kelly Mendes 78mins), Julie Marques Abreu (sub Anouchka Besch
68mins). Subs not used: Lena Krier, Natascha Kremer, Jessica Becker, Martine Schon, Aldina
Dervisevic, Catherine Have, Hanna Thill.
(www.irishfa.com)
Issue no. 4 - 23 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk