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#Post#: 4548--------------------------------------------------
Re: Play-off 2nd Leg: Northern Ireland v Ukraine
DIR By: Ernie
Date: April 13, 2021, 5:24 pm
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--- Quote from: glen man link ---
>
> Congrats to the ladies
>
> It was worth watching the match just for the red-card for the
Ukrainian defender near the end. The most blatant, almost
comedy, dismissal I think I've ever seen, you wouldn't even see
the like of it in a primary school game!!
>
--- End Quote ---
The tackle (?) was worth two red cards.
#Post#: 4549--------------------------------------------------
Re: Play-off 2nd Leg: Northern Ireland v Ukraine
DIR By: EalingGreen
Date: April 13, 2021, 5:27 pm
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Our Wee Weemin are making headlines!
UEFA Women's EURO play-offs: Northern Ireland, Russia,
Switzerland through
Tuesday 13 April 2021
Northern Ireland – earning a finals debut – Russia and
Switzerland qualified through the play-offs.
HTML https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0268-12088dd02f31-2f6ea4ca903f-1000/northern_ireland_v_ukraine_uefa_women_s_euro_2022_play-off.jpeg
Northern Ireland are heading to their first senior women's
tournament after completing the job following an away-leg
victory. Despite being further depleted by the loss of top
scorer Rachel Furness to injury on Friday, Northern Ireland
increased their aggregate advantage on 55 minutes when Marissa
Callaghan controlled Julie Nelson's ball and touched in past
Kateryna Samson. Ukraine could not force a goal and had Natiya
Pantsulaya sent off late on, before Nadene Caldwell sparked
celebrations with her late clincher.
HTML https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0268-120890661498-bb081f6b533f-1000/northern_ireland_v_ukraine_uefa_women_s_euro_2022_play-off.jpeg
HTML https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/news/0268-120055d023b9-4d5209a4854c-1000--northern-ireland-russia-swiss-qualify/?iv=true
#Post#: 4555--------------------------------------------------
Re: Play-off 2nd Leg: Northern Ireland v Ukraine
DIR By: eightball
Date: April 14, 2021, 1:44 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: EalingGreen link ---
>
> [quote author=glen man link=topic=343.msg4541#msg4541
date=1618349189]
> Congrats to the ladies
>
> It was worth watching the match just for the red-card for the
Ukrainian defender near the end. The most blatant, almost
comedy, dismissal I think I've ever seen, you wouldn't even see
the like of it in a primary school game!!
>
--- End Quote ---
You never saw my Sunday League team play!
Anyhow, a great evening all round - so looking forward to seeing
them next summer.
With a bit of luck they'll be drawn to play in the new Brentford
stadium, just a bit of a dander up the road from me. [emoji122]
[/quote]
All back to yours if we win?
#Post#: 4557--------------------------------------------------
Re: Play-off 2nd Leg: Northern Ireland v Ukraine
DIR By: RichardM
Date: April 14, 2021, 5:32 am
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A rare interview with Patrick Nelson last night, I'm sure there
will be a financial windfall for the IFA.
#Post#: 4558--------------------------------------------------
Re: Play-off 2nd Leg: Northern Ireland v Ukraine
DIR By: PeteM
Date: April 14, 2021, 6:14 am
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Massive achievement for the girls considering the state of the
women's game here not even 20 years ago. I wouldn't quite put it
up there as the best sporting achievement in history like Kenny
made it out to be in his post match interview ;D but it is
still a wonderful feat for the team and staff.
I'm delighted for the likes of Callaghan, Hutton, Nelson etc who
have been been committed through thick and thin and get a hell
of a reward next summer.
#Post#: 4559--------------------------------------------------
Re: Play-off 2nd Leg: Northern Ireland v Ukraine
DIR By: eightball
Date: April 14, 2021, 6:35 am
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Interesting article on BBC
HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56716621
Looks like the Ladies will be playing qualifiers at Windsor in
future and Kenny Shiels has been rewarded with a new contract.
#Post#: 4560--------------------------------------------------
Re: Play-off 2nd Leg: Northern Ireland v Ukraine
DIR By: EalingGreen
Date: April 14, 2021, 11:31 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: eightball link ---
>
> [quote author=EalingGreen link=topic=343.msg4546#msg4546
date=1618352096]
> [quote author=glen man link=topic=343.msg4541#msg4541
date=1618349189]
> Congrats to the ladies
>
> It was worth watching the match just for the red-card for the
Ukrainian defender near the end. The most blatant, almost
comedy, dismissal I think I've ever seen, you wouldn't even see
the like of it in a primary school game!!
>
--- End Quote ---
You never saw my Sunday League team play!
Anyhow, a great evening all round - so looking forward to seeing
them next summer.
With a bit of luck they'll be drawn to play in the new Brentford
stadium, just a bit of a dander up the road from me. [emoji122]
[/quote]
All back to yours if we win?
[/quote]
Oh aye, but it's still BYOB.
(That's "Bring Your Own Buckfast" btw)
#Post#: 4561--------------------------------------------------
Re: Play-off 2nd Leg: Northern Ireland v Ukraine
DIR By: EalingGreen
Date: April 14, 2021, 11:46 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: RichardM link ---
>
> A rare interview with Patrick Nelson last night, I'm sure
there will be a financial windfall for the IFA.
>
--- End Quote ---
I'm not so sure. UEFA prize money for womens' football generally
is paltry when compared with the mens' game. And the fact that
they don't seem to publish the womens' Euro 2022 prize money
anywhere would reinforce that.
But it should still help in two ways: 1. IFA sponsors may be
prepared to offer more money if the game is receiving more
attention from the female half of the population; and 2. the IFA
will have a stronger case when it comes to applying for
Government or Council funding, maybe even EU money?
#Post#: 4562--------------------------------------------------
Re: Play-off 2nd Leg: Northern Ireland v Ukraine
DIR By: EalingGreen
Date: April 14, 2021, 11:54 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: PeteM link ---
>
> Massive achievement for the girls considering the state of the
women's game here not even 20 years ago.
>
> I'm delighted for the likes of Callaghan, Hutton, Nelson etc
who have been been committed through thick and thin and get a
hell of a reward next summer.
>
--- End Quote ---
Some more background here:
Euro 2022: Feel-good Northern Ireland the ultimate underdog
story
You could sense something special in the Belfast air on Tuesday
as Northern Ireland chased their dream of reaching a major
tournament.
Then, after a captain's display from Marissa Callaghan as she
notched the opening goal and a late clincher from Nadene
Caldwell, it was suddenly a reality and pure ecstasy for a team
who had not only defied the odds, but blossomed when the
pressure was really on.
The 2-0 Seaview victory over Ukraine completed a 4-1 Euro 2022
play-off triumph as the euphoric Northern Ireland squad
celebrated the country's first ever qualification for a major
women's tournament.
To put the achievement in context, the women's national team was
only reformed in 2004 after being disbanded at the turn of the
century.
Northern Ireland's rise from the ashes to history-makers in the
space of 17 years is nothing short of astonishing.
"No one can understand how a team with players who work in shops
or hospitals are here against professionals," said manager Kenny
Shiels before the match.
And he's right. The journey for this group of unlikely heroes
has been remarkable.
Shiels and his players have proven people wrong again and again.
Part-time players, a huge number of injuries, a lack of
preparation with friendly cancellations - it's the ultimate
underdog story.
The part-time nature of the team cannot be underestimated. Of
the 11 starters in Ukraine, seven of them had not kicked a ball
for their clubs since December, with one friendly against
England in February their sole match practice.
It was similar reading for the second leg, and although Ukraine
could have outplayed Northern Ireland, they were never going to
work harder, show more passion or out-run this team with a
European Championships on the line.
Any team would struggle with eight key injuries to their squad,
yet Northern Ireland, 49th in the world, proved the doubters
wrong against a team 26 places higher in the rankings. Russia
are the next lowest ranked team to qualify for the Euros at 24
in the world.
Rachel Furness, Lauren Wade, Abbie Magee and Demi Vance would
have been guaranteed starters. Megan Bell, Caitlin McGuinness,
Rachel Newborough and Caragh Hamilton would have been
certainties in the squad if fit. And that is just for the two
play-off games, not the full qualification campaign.
Northern Ireland's achievement is magnified by the small pool
from which Shiels can pick, but the squad had been using
adversity as motivation for the campaign.
The injured players were present at Seaview and although small
in number, their impact was unquestionable. They were kicking
every ball, clapping every pass and cheering every tackle like
they were on the pitch.
While the injured players were a huge loss, time after time the
void was filled by lesser-known names, but players who stepped
up to write their names in history.
Rebecca McKenna, who celebrated her 20th birthday on Tuesday,
was superb after coming into the side at right-back, as was
Rebecca Holloway on the other flank. Chloe McCarron, despite her
limited game time at Birmingham City, was excellent after
replacing Furness and the returning Laura Rafferty was a rock in
the second leg.
Honestly, you could name every player who stepped out in a green
shirt. They all played their part.
The impact of Shiels and his coaching team, including son Dean,
cannot be underestimated. In the space of 20 months he has taken
a part-time team to a major tournament. With the injuries,
disrupted preparation, Covid-19 regulations, empty stands - it's
simply sensational, almost ridiculous how impressive that feat
is.
For those who dare to dream
Yes, of course the result was important, but regardless of what
happened at Seaview, the play-off was about so much more than
that.
These matches were about the the sacrifices from the squad,
their families and friends, those who missed out on this
journey, the young kids watching at home but most of all, it's
for those who dare to dream.
The game is growing rapidly and players have talked about
further interest from the qualifying campaign alone. Reaching
this point should send it into the stratosphere.
If you roll back the years to where it began in 2004, Julie
Nelson appeared in Northern Ireland's first game back against
Portugal. Sarah McFadden, Ashley Hutton and Rachel Furness made
their debuts the following year.
Caldwell, Vance, Callaghan, Kirsty McGuinness and Simone Magill
came along soon after that. The core group of this squad have
been there for the journey, weathering the highs and lows, and
that is what makes this achievement so special.
Manager Kenny Shiels on NI reaching Euro 2022
At the other end of the scale, Kerry Beattie, the youngest
player in the current squad, was only 169 days old when Northern
Ireland returned to the pitch after a four-year break.
That is why it means so much to this squad, both young and old.
For some of these players it has a life-long dream, for others
it has been their entire life.
Each player has their own individual story to tell from this
remarkable journey, and it is impossible not to be swept along
on the wave alongside this incredible bunch of dreamers.
It's been a long, sometimes arduous path against all the odds,
but ultimately the record books will say one thing - Northern
Ireland, history makers.
HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56696421
#Post#: 4564--------------------------------------------------
Re: Play-off 2nd Leg: Northern Ireland v Ukraine
DIR By: RichardM
Date: April 14, 2021, 12:19 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: EalingGreen link ---
>
> [quote author=RichardM link=topic=343.msg4557#msg4557
date=1618396367]
> A rare interview with Patrick Nelson last night, I'm sure
there will be a financial windfall for the IFA.
>
--- End Quote ---
I'm not so sure. UEFA prize money for womens' football generally
is paltry when compared with the mens' game. And the fact that
they don't seem to publish the womens' Euro 2022 prize money
anywhere would reinforce that.
But it should still help in two ways: 1. IFA sponsors may be
prepared to offer more money if the game is receiving more
attention from the female half of the population; and 2. the IFA
will have a stronger case when it comes to applying for
Government or Council funding, maybe even EU money?
[/quote]
Good points but I was thinking more along the lines of tv
money/revenue as I'd say all the games will be televised to
certainly a European audience and I'd imagine globally as well,
especially the American Market.
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