Wednesday 1st March
CYPRUS CUP
Group A: North Korea 3-0 Italy, Belgium 2-2 Switzerland
Group B: New Zealand 2-3 Scotland, South Korea 0-0 Austria
Group C: Czech Republic 0-2 Republic of Ireland, Hungary 0-2 Wales
Scotland edge Football Ferns in frantic finish
Emma Mitchell got her 50th cap as Scotland held on to defeat New Zealand 3-2. after a rush of goals in the last 10 minutes.
Scottishfa.co.uk report that with 9 minutes played, Christie Murray hit the bar and Jane Ross blasted home the rebound for her 48th goal in 99 appearances.
The lead only lasted 11 minutes though when Shannon Lynn saw a slack pass out from the back picked up by Rosie White, who was quick to react and score in the corner.
In the last few minutes, Erin Cuthbert blasted the ball home after winning possession outside the box, Kim Little slotted the ball in following a precision cross from substitute Fiona Brown, before New Zealand hit the post but eventually scored a second in injury time.
Scotland play South Korea next, who today played out a goalless draw with Austria.
Ward and Estcourt on target for Wales
Wales scored in each half to begin their Group B games with a 2-0 success.
A Tash Harding cross on 34 minutes saw the Hungary goalkeeper fail to regain possession and tha ball fell for Helen Ward to bury.
The lead was doubled midway through the second half, Kayleigh Green’s ball in slotted home by Charlie Estcourt.
(Photo: fai.ie)
Winning start for Bell
Republic of Ireland’s new Head Coach Colin Bell got off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory against the Czech Republic.
The FAI say they were rewarded for their strong start in the 24th minute as a well-worked corner routine saw the ball land at Stephanie Roche’s feet for her to smash home.
In a game of few chances for either side, Ireland absorbed all the pressure the Czechs put them under and sealed the victory with 2 minutes remaining.
Substitute Ruesha Littlejohn found the tireless Aine O’Gorman who scored off the post from outside the area, to seal a fine win for the Irish.
North Korea early leaders in Group A
Meanwhile in Group A, North Korea sent Italy to a 3-0 reverse and Belgium shared four goals with Switzerland. The Swiss struck first through Caroline Abbé but Lien Mermans levelled within 5 minutes. Janice Cayman gave the Red Flames the lead on 78 minutes, only for Selina Kuster to reply 2 minutes from time.
Match day 2 is on Friday when the following fixtures are scheduled:
Group A: Switzerland v North Korea, Italy v Belgium
Group B: Austria v New Zealand, Scotland v South Korea
Group C: Wales v Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland v Hungary
Pictured top – Scotland in action against New Zealand. (scottishfa.co.uk)
