Ireland kicked off their preparations for the 2023 World Cup later this year, with a friendly against 14th-ranked China PR. A first-ever meeting between the two teams was a close affair, short of clear-cut scoring chances. Neither team was able to capitalise on the occasion and secure their first win of what will be an important year for both sides.
Ireland kick off huge year with draw v China
Coming into the game, Ireland have been in great form, winning their last four competitive matches. The last of those was the historic win against Scotland in Hampden Park, which booked Ireland’s place in the 2023 World Cup, taking place in Australia and New Zealand.
China, their respective opponents for today, were unbeaten in 2022. However, before this 10-day training camp in Marbella, China hadn't played a single game in seven months. This was evident in the 4:1 loss they suffered against third-ranked in the World, Sweden last Thursday.
Ireland had the two best chances of the game. The first opportunity to take lead came in the 18th minute of the first half.
Denise O’Sullivan passed a lovely through ball to Heather Payne. Payne with her impressive speed broke free from her marker and attempted a cross into the box which was blocked out for an Irish corner. McCabe stood over the corner and produced a deep delivery into the box. Louise Quinn with her tall stature climbed above everybody else to make a great connection with the ball, sending it goal ward, she was unlucky to see her attempt hit the crossbar.
22 February 2023; Denise O'Sullivan of Republic of Ireland Izzy Atkinson of Republic of Ireland Zhang Rui of China PR during the international friendly match between China PR and Republic of Ireland at Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras, Spain. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Ireland eventually found the back of the net in the 62nd minute. Heather Payne won Ireland a free high and wide up near China’s corner flag. McCabe whipped in an impressive inswinger, which Quinn and Mannion both rose to try and get a connection with. China’s keeper also came out to try and claim the ball but completely miss timed the ball's flight and the ball ended up rolling into the Chinese net for what looked to be a clear and easy goal for the Irish.
Still trying to figure out why this goal was disallowed.
Listen closely around the 43 second mark and you can hear an Irish voice say 'referee you f*ckin' shite'
The beauty of friendlies played in mostly empty stadiumspic.twitter.com/jLONQTprsI— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 22, 2023
The goal however was ruled out for an unknown offence seemingly on China’s goalkeeper Xu Huan. Ireland's players appeared confused as to what the offence was for and tried to seek clarity from the referee which they didn't seem to receive. Replays showed little contact on the Chinese keeper. In the end, it was a harsh call against the Irish women.
Ireland had three players earning their first cap. Aoife Mannion and Deborah De La Harpe were two new names added to Vera Pauw’s starting lineup. Both players started in Ireland’s backline and impressed from the off, while Marissa Sheva came on early in the second half.
22 February 2023; The jerseys of Republic of Ireland players Marissa Sheva, Aoife Mannion and Deborah-Anne de la Harpe hang in the Republic of Ireland dressing room before the international friendly match between China PR and Republic of Ireland at Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras, Spain. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Mannion and De La Harpe looked comfortable within the squad and gelled nicely with the more experienced players of Katie McCabe, Louise Quinn and Denise O’Sullivan. De La Harpe was very impressive when defending, coming across from wing back to cover the box on the majority of the Chinese attacks, and also driving forward supplying balls to Payne and Agg when Ireland were breaking on the counter attack.
Mannion was solid in Ireland's backline. The Man Utd defender who recently came back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury was very impressive. She showed great composure when defending, using her strong physique to fend off the Chinese forwards, and using her skill to play the ball out from the backline. In the 14th minute Mannion produced a great bit off skill to break away from three Chinese forwards, to ignite an Irish attack
Ireland’s next outing as a squad will be against the current world champions and number one ranked USA. Vera Pauw’s squad will travel to America for a 10-day training camp.
The first game of the camp is scheduled for April 8 in Austin, Texas, with a second game to be played three days later in St. Louis, Missouri. Ireland’s last meeting with the USA in 2019, ended in a 3-0 defeat.
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