Soccer

Ireland's Euro 2017 qualifying campaign ends in defeat

Women’s Euro 2017 Qualification Group Two: 


Republic of Ireland 0 Portugal 1

THE Republic of Ireland’s qualification campaign ended in defeat as Portugal claimed a precious victory in Tallaght Stadium.

The only goal was scored by midfielder Claudia Neto, who nodded home from the rebound after Emma Byrne had saved her 78th minute penalty. The home side’s best chance had fallen as early as the second minute, when Ruesha Littlejohn and Julie Ann Russell combined to set up Áine O’Gorman, but her header cannoned out off the bar.

Defeat means Sue Ronan’s Ireland finish fourth in the group, with Portugal’s win taking them above Finland into the play-off spot behind group winners Spain.

Women’s Euro 2017 Qualification Group Six: Switzerland 4 Northern Ireland 0

A DOMINANT display by Group Six winners Switzerland ensured Northern Ireland’s campaign ended on a brave but ultimately disappointing note as they fell to a 4-0 defeat in Biel.

Wolfsburg’s Vanessa Bernauer netted twice for the hosts, one in either half, as they maintained their 100 per cent record through the group. Bernaur opened the scoring after 17 minutes and Rahel Kiwic doubled the Swiss advantage three minutes before the break. The dam threatened to burst when Bernauer got her second a minute after the restart, but Switzerland were held to just one more, with Rachel Rinast came up from the back to fire home from a corner.

Victory could have seen Northern Ireland leapfrog the Czech Republic into third place after they lost to Italy but, instead, Alfie Wylie’s side have to settle for fourth.