Albania 0-1 Ireland
Ireland faced Albania in a stunted game on Tuesday night in Shkoder, with the game suspended at half-time and kick-off of the second period suspended by nearly 75 minutes, as a thunderstorm raged around the Loro Borici Stadium.
Eileen Gleeson made two changes to the side which ran out 5-1 winners in last week's game in Tallaght, with Erin McLaughlin and Sinead Farrelly coming into the side for Izzy Atkinson and Megan Connolly.
It was, admittedly, a difficult game to read, particularly during the ridiculous closing stages of the first-half, in which it was virtually impossible for Ireland to do anything with their possession in the Albania half.
Throughout, however, Ireland were dominant, and finally got their reward in the closing stages with Denise O'Sullivan bundling home the winner two minutes from time.
It was, at times, a frustrating night, but there were nonetheless some strong performances in the Irish side, particularly in the solid rearguard.
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Albania v Ireland: WNT player ratings
Courtney Brosnan - 7
Called into action more often than she was on Friday, and was solid throughout. Came out well to stifle Albanian breaks on more than one occasion.
Caitlin Hayes - 7
Much better on the ball than she was in the reverse fixture in Tallaght. Found Irish players out wide regularly in the first-half, and dealt with most of her defensive tasks well. Won a good foul under pressure in the closing stages.
Louise Quinn - 8
31 October 2023; Louise Quinn of Republic of Ireland and Armela Tukaj of Albania during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Albania and Republic of Ireland at Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkoder, Albania. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
A sumptuous cross-field ball found Abbie Larkin out wide early on, and she was unphased at the back throughout. Either side of half-time, she was also a threat in the Albanian penalty area, shooting just wide after a goalmouth scramble in the first-half rain, before forcing a good save from the keeper after 70 minutes. An excellent performance.
Diane Caldwell - 6
31 October 2023; Diane Caldwell of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Albania and Republic of Ireland at Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkoder, Albania. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Gave away a few fouls in the first-half, as the players struggled to deal with the appalling conditions. Made up for those discretions somewhat with a good interception and a crucial goal-saving block late in the first period.
Abbie Larkin - 6
Struggled to do much with the possession she enjoyed, but consistently found herself in space and stretched the Albanian defence throughout. Her touch and cross from Quinn's diagonal ball early on were superb. Taken off for Atkinson just after the hour mark.
Tyler Toland - 7
31 October 2023; Tyler Toland of Republic of Ireland in action against Mimoza Hamidi of Albania during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Albania and Republic of Ireland at Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkoder, Albania. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Continued her consistent run of form since returning to the Irish squad in last month's international window. We caught more of a glimpse of her incisive passing in Shkoder, especially after Heather Payne came on in the second-half. Nothing to fault.
Sinead Farrelly - 6
Coming into the side for Tuesday's game, Farrelly saw a lot of the ball in the first period, but struggled to do anything of note with the possession which came her way early on. Dispossessed on several occasions in the opening minutes.
However, she would find more space when she began to drift out to the left, and enjoyed some nice moments of link-up with Katie McCabe. Taken off at half-time.
Denise O'Sullivan - 8
31 October 2023; Denise O'Sullivan of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Albania and Republic of Ireland at Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkoder, Albania. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Ireland's best player on the night, she was even more advanced than she has been in the previous Nations League games. Despite her forward position, she did some good defensive work early in the game.
Had a chance to score in a goalmouth scramble midway through the first-half, and could have done more with a headed chance just before the half-hour mark, but her overall attacking play made Ireland tick. Very unlucky not to score after her excellent downward header with ten minutes to go was met with an equally excellent save from the Albanian keeper.
She deserved her goal in the closing stages, and did well in the buildup to create the chance she would ultimately finish. Yes, the goal came with the help of an Albanian defender, but it would likely have found the opposite corner were it not for the deflection. Top class.
Katie McCabe - 7
You could not hold a slight step down from her dazzling display last Friday against McCabe, yet she still had her moments going forward for Ireland.
The conditions nullified her influence late in the first-half, but she consistently linked up with Farrelly to find space down the left, and she frequently delivered strong crosses into the area.
Experimented in a more central role at points, and her presence in the game was somewhat quieter than in previous games, but McCabe was largely solid on a difficult night. Forced a good save in injury time.
Kyra Carusa - 6
Used her physicality well in hold-up play, but struggled to replicate her electric form thus far in this group. A quiet night by her standards, and she snatched at the two chances which came her way in the first-half. Found more space as the game went on but struggled to make her mark.
Erin McLaughlin - 6
31 October 2023; Erin McLaughlin of Republic of Ireland in action against Alma Hila of Albania during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Albania and Republic of Ireland at Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkoder, Albania. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
McLaughlin's ability to manouevre and find space under fierce pressure from the Albanian defence was encouraging, but her passing let her down at points. The strongest Irish performer during the first-half downpour - handled the conditions extremely well. Taken off at half-time.
Substitutes
Jamie Finn - 6
Struggled for time on the ball in the second period, but didn't really put a foot wrong.
Heather Payne - 7
The most threatening presence out wide in the second-half after being introduced at the break. Some brilliant deliveries into the box and Toland did well to find her dangerous runs in behind the Albanian defence.
Izzy Atkinson - 6
Struggled to have the same impact she did when starting in Tallaght, but won a good free-kick on the edge of the area and found lots of space down the left-hand side. Works well higher up the pitch.
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