Gavin Cummiskey writes: “If Zambia are justifiably ranked 77 in the world then Ireland have serious problems ahead. Welcomed to Tallaght to launch preparations for the World Cup opener against Australia on July 20th, the Copper Queens technical skills exposed the host’s nervousness without stars turns McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan.”
[ Amber Barrett at the double as she comes to Ireland’s rescue against ZambiaOpens in new window ]
That’s all from me, good night!
FULL-TIME: Ireland 3 Zambia 2
Good win for Ireland in the end. Zambia offered a good test. First half was poor but they came out to play in the second half. Subs made a difference, particularly Amber Barrett who scored twice. Here was her second goal, the highlight of the match:
Amber Barrett: “It’s been a long time good, but Jesus it feels bloody good!”. Always a good interview!
Stay tuned for the full-time report.
88 mins: Player of the Match is Amber Barrett. Can’t argue with that one, changed the game with her introduction.
Ireland 3 Zambia 2
86 mins: Mustaki with a good ball into Barrett who tried another lob but gets it wrong, well over the bar.
Ireland 3 Zambia 2
78 mins: GOAL FOR ZAMBIA! Well deserved by the excellent Kundananji. Turned Payne and her pace beat the defence and shot past Barrett. Good game this.
Ireland 3 Zambia 2
75 mins: Ireland very lucky, seemed a clear handball on O’Riordan after Kundananji won the ball on the wing and crossed into the box. Another chance for Zambia soon afterwards, Banda tries to round Brosnan a few times but couldn’t get space for a shot, crosses the ball and the header is saved again by Brosnan.
Ireland then go down the pitch and McLaughlin puts in Barrett for her hat-trick but saved by Nali
Ireland 3 Zambia 1
73 mins: GOAL FOR IRELAND! Brilliant goal by Amber Barrett. Two off the bench for the Donegal woman. Corner punched away by the keeper, falls to Barrett and she lobs the keeper into the back of the net.
Earlier, Kundananji ran down the left wing, cut inside and curled into the corner but great save by Brosnan.
Ireland 3 Zambia 1
70 mins: Much better performance by Ireland in the second half here, the subs have put a good account of themselves ahead of the World Cup. Mustaki has been good since coming on and plays a nice one-two before putting in a good cross which the Ireland player could not control.
Ireland 2 Zambia 1
65 mins: GOAL FOR IRELAND! O’Riordan with a great header but what a sweet delivery by Megan Connolly. On a plate for O’Riordan on the six-yard box and she heads down the middle. Blatant shove on Mustaki had given Ireland a free-kick on the wing.
Ireland 2 Zambia 1
62 mins: Two good pieces of defending by Quinn on Banda who had the run at her. The counter Barrett plays to Larkin on the wing who can’t find an Irish shirt.
Ireland 1 Zambia 1
54 mins: Good wing play by Kundananji but well defended by Ireland. Zambia still threatening and the game is well balanced.
Ireland 1 Zambia 1
51 mins: Ireland looking a much better side this half so far. Payne puts in a dangerous ball into the box, Nali collects though at the second time of asking.
Ireland 1 Zambia 1
48 mins: Changes for Ireland at half-time include qualifying hero Amber Barrett, Ciara Grant, Chloe Mustaki, Roma McLaughlin, Harriet Scott on!
GOAL FOR IRELAND! Shot by Larkin hits the hand of Katongo. Barrett scores the penalty within three minutes of coming on! Makes no mistake with the penalty into the left corner.
Ireland 1 Zambia 1
HALF-TIME: Ireland 0 Zambia 1
Well, things can only get better than that. Poor performance by Ireland so far at home. Expect changes and good talking to at half-time. Zambia are supposed to be the lowest ranked team at the World Cup but you would not know it. Despite there being 55 places between the teams in the world rankings, it’s Zambia who have been the better team.
Here was the goal:
45 mins: Niamh Fahey was booked and then fouls Banda again, don’t want to get a rare red card in a friendly! But she’s struggled to deal with the pacey Zambians. Chanda’s free-kick is straight at the keeper.
Ireland 0 Zambia 1
43 mins: Some nice play on the left wing from Atkinson and she puts in a dangerous cross, Zambia keeper Nali comes out bravely and claims though. Zambia counter, some fine wing play by Kundananji but her shot is saved by Brosnan.
Ireland 0 Zambia 1
40 mins: Bit better from Ireland as Noonan keeps the ball and lays off to Kiernan on the wing who crosses to Larkin who heads wide. Noonan and Kiernan combine again quickly afterwards and force a good save from the Zambian keeper. Then from the resulting corner, Quinn has a chance from a header but she heads over.
Ireland 0 Zambia 1
33 mins: Goal disallowed for offside! Kiernan through and slots it in but no major complaint by the Irish team.
30 mins: Some nice play by Zambia, more impressive and strong play by Barbra Banda, leads to a shot for Katongo on the edge of the box but easily saved by Brosnan.
Ireland 0 Zambia 1
25 mins: The passing from the midfield has been very sloppy so far. Missing Denise O’Sullivan in the middle. Another one from the middle of the pitch goes straight out of play.
Ireland 0 Zambia 1
22 mins: Poor passing by Ireland so far, not looking in rhythm at all. Finally some good build-up play, this time between Larin and Noonan but Zambia safely intercept.
Ireland 0 Zambia 1
19 mins: GOAL FOR ZAMBIA! Barbra Banda takes the ball down the edge of the box and crosses in, deflects off Atkinson, hits the post and then hits off Brosnan into the net for an own goal! Well deserved lead for the Africans.
Ireland 0 Zambia 1
16 mins: Sidenetting after a spell of Zambia pressure. Banda almost gets Zambia through with a through ball that Quinn intercepts. Mapepa shot just goes wide. Ireland give the ball away again and a corner for Zambia a shot is blocked by Noonan. Brosnan then collects the follow-up cross.
Ireland 0 Zambia 0
11 mins: Can see the pace of Kundananji there as her cross is cut out for a corner. Zambia have had a good start to the game, Ireland a bit nervous looking.
Ireland 0 Zambia 0
8 mins: Watch out for Racheal Kundananji for Zambia, who has scored a number of goals in the Spanish league for Madrid CFF. Zambia qualified for the World Cup, also making their debut. They’re in a group with Spain, Costa Rica and Japan. They have had a good spell of possession here.
3 mins: Heather Payne wins a free kick after a nice nutmeg on the wing. A scramble in the box before O’Riordan swings it over the bar.
Ireland 0 Zambia 0
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the international friendly between Ireland and Zambia in Tallaght. Ireland are preparing for the Women’s World Cup and it gives a good opportunity for Ireland to prepare for the World Cup. Here is the Ireland starting team:
Ireland team: Brosnan; Payne, Quinn (c), Fahey, O’Riordan, Atkinson; Connolly, Littljohn, Larkin, Kiernan; Noonan
Zambia team: Nali; Soko, Mweemba, Belemu, Musesa; Mapepa, S Banda, Kundananji, Chanda, Banda (c), Katongo
