Wales and the Republic of Eire drew the primary leg of their Euro 2025 play-off remaining as Olivia Clark’s unlucky personal aim prevented the Dragons from taking a result in Dublin.
The Aviva Stadium will host the return match on Tuesday after a 1-1 attract Cardiff, with the winners progressing to subsequent summer time’s European Championship in Switzerland.
On this proof it could possibly be an extended night time – extra-time and penalties are doable – as there was nothing to decide on between the 2 sides.
Lily Woodham – who had netted in Wales’ 2-0 pleasant victory in Dublin 9 months in the past – opened the scoring with a candy strike after 20 minutes.
However Eire claimed a draw as Clark tipped Ruesha Littlejohn’s looping long-range effort on to the crossbar after which regarded again in horror because the ball struck her on the way in which down and crept over the road.
Wales, ranked twenty ninth on the planet and 5 locations beneath Eire, carry the bags of getting by no means certified for a serious event – with their final try ending in late heartbreak.
Whereas Wales had been struggling 2023 World Cup play-off despair in Switzerland, Eire overcame Scotland to make their first main finals.
Each camps had sought to minimize the importance of these outcomes forward of this conflict, which was notable for a document attendance of 16,845 for a ladies’s worldwide match in Wales.
Wales had been seeking to Jess Fishlock to be the inventive distinction, however the veteran confirmed the defensive facet of her recreation to cease Denise O’Sullivan from profiting on the sting of the field.
Eire settled nicely with Julie Russell hooking over beneath stress from Rhiannon Roberts, however Wales led by means of their solitary first-half try.
Ceri Holland discovered Fishlock down the appropriate and Niamh Fahey missed her cross to permit Woodham to drill house her third Wales aim on the far put up.
Eire had no must panic with 160 minutes left within the tie, however their response was spectacular as Wales laboured for possession.
The guests had been rewarded 10 minutes earlier than the break as Littlejohn tried her luck from 30 yards and Clark’s misjudgement supplied Eire hope.
Wales despatched on Carrie Jones at half-time with Fishlock retreating right into a deeper position for the second half and the tweak nearly paid off immediately as Ffion Morgan curled large.
Republic of Eire gamers have a good time the aim that drew them stage
Littlejohn headed Rhiannon Roberts’ effort clear from near the goal-line and Jones wriggled freed from Eire defenders to drive a helpful save from Courtney Brosnan.
It was Wales’ finest spell of the competition and Littlejohn misplaced composure by flattening Rachel Rowe after which pushing Fishlock over to obtain a yellow card.
Fishlock was additionally booked within the incident earlier than sending a free-kick into Brosnan’s grateful gloves.
Clark atoned for her earlier error by stopping Caitlin Hayes’ rasping volley with a incredible reflex cease to ship the groups to Dublin stage.
