Unlucky Irish fail to make effort pay

Despite dominating the second half and hitting the woodwork on no less than four occasions, the Republic of Ireland were unable…

Despite dominating the second half and hitting the woodwork on no less than four occasions, the Republic of Ireland were unable to add to their half-time scoreline of 11 and now face being knocked out of the second phase of the 2001 European Women's Under-18 Championship .

The Republic need to beat Turkey by five clear goals tomorrow and for England to beat Wales by three goals in order to qualify as runners-up.

It had looked promising in the 30th minute, when Samanatha McCarthy's shot was blocked and a deflection earned the Irish a corner. Elaine O'Connor sent the ball to Wendy McGrath who fed McCarthy and her deflected shot went past Wales goalkeeper Joanne Price. But the Welsh equalised, cancelling out Irish advantage and making qualification a distant prospect.

England qualified for the third phase of the competition following a comprehensive 11-0 win over Turkey.

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REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: E Merrigan, S Ennis, M Curtin, L Henchy, E O'Connor, R Jenkins, M Waldron, M Walsh, S McCarthy, W McGrath, M Gallagher. Subs: M Sweeney for Gallagher; L Bowler for Jenkins.

WALES: Price, Ashford, Cooke, Green, Gregory, Hopkins(1 goal), E Jones, H Jones, Roberts, L Davies, Weaver. Subs: Earnshaw for Weaver.

Referee: A Tvarijonaite (Lithuania)

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has confirmed a £15 million bid for Rio Ferdinand is still on the table, and has told West Ham: "Take it or leave it."

The Hammers defender, who was in sparkling form in the 1-0 win at Elland Road on Saturday, is still wanted by Leeds.

Ridsdale told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "West Ham can take it or leave it. The player might be worth only £5million to them in the near future depending on the outcome of EU deliberations.

"Our bid already constitutes a world record for a defender and is a measured valuation. There will be no more. We already have alternatives in mind should Ferdinand go elsewhere."

There is a view in some quarters that West Ham's chairman Terry Brown hopes to get even more for the England defender from a continental club, while manager Harry Redknapp wants to hold on to him for as long as possible.

Rangers chairman David Murray is still confident of landing Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo in a record-shattering £12million deal.

Chelsea rejected an earlier bid from the Ibrox giants. However, following intensive negotiations with Chelsea, Murray has revealed a deal could be completed in the next 24 hours.