Ireland and Northern Ireland serve up an enthralling encounter to kick off Day 2
|Northern Ireland's Megan Neill scored the last minute winner against Ireland. Image: Anita Milas
Ireland against Northern Ireland promised much and delivered in spades in the opening match on Day 2 of the Seoul 2024 Homeless World Cup.
Those watching on from the stands - including teams such as Kenya, Poland and England - were treated to an enthralling encounter that saw Northern Ireland securing a 2-1 win with seconds to go it looked like the game would be heading for penalties.
Ireland started off strong with long periods of possession, and would have gone ahead early if it wasn’t for a number of impressive saves from the Northern Ireland goalkeeper. The deadlock was eventually broken a few minutes after the start with a sweet shot from distance that fizzed by the Northern Ireland goalkeeper. Northern Ireland crept into the game and should have levelled the game, but Ireland’s goalkeeper matched her counterpart in pulling off some fine saves from point-blank range.
|Image: Anita Milas
As half-time approached, Ireland then carved out three chances to extend their lead but couldn’t find a way past the Northern Ireland goalkeeper.
Straight from the start of the second half, Ireland then squandered another chance to score as a shot just crept wide, before a Northern Ireland attack saw them pull level after a player slotted home from a rebound following a good save from the Ireland goalkeeper.
An Ireland chance just went over the bar before the Northern Ireland goalkeeper produced another impressive save as Ireland enjoyed a long spell of possession.
Then, with less than 10 seconds to go and both teams searching for a winner, the ball broke to a Northern Ireland player who found themselves with time and space on the right hand side to drill a right-footed shot from distance low by the Ireland goalkeeper into the net and secure the win for her side.
“We’ve got a brilliant squad from number 1 to number 8. No matter who comes on it’s the same intensity. We are up for it, and winners win.”
|Image: Anita Milas
The author of the winning strike, Northern Ireland player Megan Neill, said: “Ireland put up a shift. They were on us from the get-go but we knew they would be. We watched them yesterday and reviewed how they played. We all had a positive mindset going into the game. We’ve got a brilliant squad from number 1 to number 8. No matter who comes on it’s the same intensity. We are up for it, and winners win.”
As for her own performance, she added: “I’m always looking to learn off the coaches and the girls in every game. I’ve never played in the Homeless World Cup before so I had to learn a lot of new rules and stuff but to score our winning goal was unbelievable.
“I was starting to think about penalties, I’m not going to lie, and I’m sure the coaches were too and trying to see what tactical substitutions we could make.
“We’ve never really beat Ireland before so do it on Pitch 1 at the Homeless World Cup is unbelievable for Northern Ireland.”
“But to score the winning goal and put a smile on everyone’s face and how I felt myself and for my family and friends and everyone else back home it was brilliant. We’ve never really beat Ireland before so do it on Pitch 1 at the Homeless World Cup is unbelievable for Northern Ireland.”
Northern Ireland coach Adrian Curry, said of the victory for his side: “I thought it was fantastic because Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland set up the same way and with the same tempo. It’s in your face and it’s intense. The coaches from Republic or Ireland and the coaches from Northern Ireland don’t expect anything less from our players. I know their team played really well and our team played well and we just happened to beat them on the day.
“It’s really fantastic for me to have this position as well, to look after the girls and get the best out of them. We’ve played two games so far at this year’s Homeless World Cup and we’ve got the best out of them already. It’s powerful.
“I do believe if we have the same mentality and mindset and hopefully if we get no injuries we will go on and we will do greater things.”
He also paid special tribute to player Megan Neill for her performance, adding: “To score in the last second, with all the fans watching, it was fantastic. She kept her cool really well and she’s an asset to Northern Ireland football.”
Words: Craig Williams
Photos: Anita Milas