Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-19 team lost 4-0 to France in a Euro qualifier this afternoon. Northern Ireland played with good energy and composure for long spells and battled hard against a physically strong and skilful French team.
Competition
UEFA Women’s European Under-19 Championship 2023-24
Qualifying First Round (League A)
Scoreline
France WU19s 4 Northern Ireland WU19s 0
Scorers
France: Calba (1’), Joseph (21’, 22’, 52’)
Venue
Stade Jean Verbeke, Montauban
Date
25 October 2023
Team News
Northern Ireland are currently competing in League A in the first round of qualifiers for the UEFA WU19 Euros 2024 alongside France, Italy and Hungary. The Group A1 mini tournament is being staged in the Occitanie region in southern France. It’s Gail Redmond’s (main photo) first series of competitive matches in charge of the WU19s since she was appointed WU19s and WU17s boss back in April. And she has a 20-strong panel to choose from. Today’s game in Montauban was the first match for both countries in Group A1.
How it happened
Northern Ireland got off to the worst possible start when France took the lead within the first minute. Shana Chossenotte sped down the right and crossed the ball to the back post where Lucie Calba slotted it home.
However, Northern Ireland settled quickly after that and stroked the ball around well.
France’s Elisa Rambaud curled a free-kick wide before Northern Ireland winger Rachel McIntyre fed striker Keri Halliday and her crisp drive was parried away by France keeper and captain Feerine Belhadj. Kascie Weir pounced on the rebound and let fly but her shot drifted wide.
On 21 minutes Chossenotte raced down the right once more and pulled the ball back to striker Liana Joseph who clipped it into the bottom corner. A minute later Joseph was on the scoresheet again when she smashed home another Chossenotte delivery to make it 3-0.
Rambaud shot wide before Weir scooped an effort over the bar as Northern Ireland tried hard to get back into the game.
Half-time: France WU19s 3 Northern Ireland WU19s 0
Northern Ireland were tenacious at the start of the second half, with Aimee Kerr testing the French keeper.
However, they conceded again when Chossenotte sent Joseph clear and she slotted the ball under Northern Ireland keeper Erin McAllister to complete her hat-trick.
France continued to push forward. Calba had a couple of shots saved by McAllister and Charline Coutel twice missed the target.
Kascie Weir got in behind the French defence, after being cleverly played in by substitute Naomi McLaughlin-Gallagher, but her shot was smothered by Belhadj, and then Halliday fired a shot over the bar.
The final action of the game saw McAllister comfortably save a shot from France substitute Fanny Rossi.
Matchday two for Northern Ireland WU19s is on Saturday (28 October) when they will come up against the Italians – at Stade Jean Verbeke in Montauban at noon BST. Italy defeated Hungary 2-1 in their first game.
Full-time: France WU19s 4 Northern Ireland WU19s 0
Line-ups
France WU19s: Feerine Belhadj (captain), Tara Gilbert, Fiona Liaigre, Wassa Sangare, Lou Autin, Elisa Rambaud, Julie Swierot, Charline Coutel, Liana Joseph, Shana Chossenotte, Lucie Calba.
Substitutes: Alyssa Fernandes (GK), Celeste Delcroix, Taeryne Job, Celia Delaby, Melinda Mendy, Laureen Oillic, Landryna Bilombi, Maeline Mendy, Fanny Rossi.
Northern Ireland WU19s: Erin McAllister, Orleigha McGuinness, Sofie Keenan, Abi Sweetlove, Faye Loughran, Sarah Tweedie (captain), Aimee Kerr, Rachel McIntyre, Kascie Weir, Keri Halliday, Aoibhe O’Neill.
Substitutes: (used) Naomi McLaughlin-Gallagher, Niamh O’Donnell, Maeve McConaghy, Rhyleigh Marks, Sophie Gargan; (unused) Kate Smith (GK), Megan Neill, Tara Reilly, Mikayla Wildgoose.
