Latest news with #LeagueB.
The 42
3 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Ireland 'need to be miles better' as Ward and McCabe target Slovenia shootout in Cork
HEAD COACH CARLA Ward and captain Katie McCabe say Ireland need to be 'miles better' than tonight's last-gasp rescue win in Türkiye. Emily Murphy bagged the winner in the 89th minute, sparing Irish blushes after another disappointing performance against lower-ranked opposition. But the 2-1 comeback victory kept them in the race for Nations League promotion: Slovenia remain top of Group B2 ahead of a Páirc Uí Chaoimh shootout next Tuesday, where Ireland must win by more than four goals to usurp them and return to League B. The runners-up get another shot in the play-offs in October. 'Listen, that's character. That's an Irish mentality,' Ward told RTÉ's Tony O'Donoghue after tonight's game. 'It was never rolling over, even when we went 1-0 down. We're disappointed with the goal. The reaction after that, the togetherness, the attitude to go and win tackles, close gaps, making sure that we were front-footed, was something that we can be proud of. I actually think winning it like that, at the death, puts us in a good position for Tuesday.' 🇹🇷 1-2 🇮🇪 Carla Ward praised the "character" and "Irish mentality" of her team after they came from behind to win in Turkey but admitted Ireland will need to be a lot better against group leaders Slovenia#UWNL #COYGIG — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 30, 2025 Advertisement The former Aston Villa boss said there will be 'honest conversations about how we start bright' as she outlined some improvements required. 'We need to be better. We need to be way better come Tuesday, but most important thing is we got the three points tonight. 'We have to win 5-0 [against Slovenia], right? It's not easy against any team now because women's football is improving in every country. It's going to be tough, but we'll go out there with an attitude, a mindset and belief that anything is possible. The Irish love that, I love that, it's why I took the job.' 'You saw us finish with a lot of attacking players on the pitch, you might see that's the way we start. We certainly will give it absolutely everything,' she added, calling for 'every bit of Irish noise and blood' in Cork. McCabe, meanwhile, echoed her manager's sentiments as she finished a whirlwind week, in which she won the Champions League with Arsenal, with the Player of the Match award in Istanbul. 'We got the result and that's what matters in the end, but from a performance point of view, we have to be miles better going into Tuesday,' the skipper said. 'We didn't move the ball quick enough, we didn't move Türkiye quick enough, and allowed them to get in the game with some sloppy mistakes. We need a massive improvement if we're going to beat Slovenia on Tuesday.' 🇹🇷 1-2 🇮🇪 Ireland captain Katie McCabe: "We got the result and that's what matters in the end but from a performance point of view we have to be miles better going into Tuesday"#UWNL — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 30, 2025 McCabe shared her disappointment with the 'cheap' concession early in the second half, and paid tribute to the impact substitutes, including match-winner Murphy, as Ireland laboured to four wins from five under Ward. 'We're trying to do a lot of different things in terms of how we approach games more on the front foot. That takes time. This is our fifth game under Carla and the new management, it's not going to be perfect, but for us from a standards point of view, we have to look to come out of the tracks a little bit sharper.' Putting four goals past Slovenia will be a 'tough ask,' McCabe conceded, but she believes Ireland can do it 'if we're at our absolute best'. The Dubliner also reflected on her European club success, and insists she feels 'really good' after a physically and emotionally draining few days — and season overall. 'It was a massive result for us and the club last week in Lisbon, we were absolutely ecstatic becoming champions. 'Yeah, you enjoy the celebrations, but it was full focus on these two games. I said to Carla when I came in, 'I'm ready to play and give it all for the team.' I feel good going into Tuesday now, another big performance, rest and recover.'
The Independent
20-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Greece vs Scotland LIVE: Team news and line-ups from Nations League relegation play-off
Scotland visit Greece in the first leg of the Nations League play-off, which the Scots must win to remain in the top-tier of the competition. Steve Clarke's side finished third in Group A1, behind Portugal and Croatia but ahead of Poland, as the Tartan Army narrowly missed out on the quarter-finals but fell into the play-off rounds. After a play-off draw, Scotland will take on Greece, who finished runners-up to England in League B. The Greeks are on the hunt for promotion to League A after an impressive campaign, which included victory at Wembley. Scotland will therefore need to be at their best as Clarke's side look to take a positive result back to Hampden for the second leg on Sunday. Scotland are also building up to the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign, which gets underway in September. What is the Scotland team news? Kieran Tierney and Lewis Ferguson return to the Scotland squad after injuries, but Steve Clarke will be without winger Ben Doak and striker Lyndon Dykes. Motherell's Lennon Miller, Hearts' James Wilson and Ipswich's George Hirst are the new faces in the squad and could all win their first caps. Craig Gordon, 42, should continue in goal but Tierney's return could see a return to 3-5-2 in an attempt to get the full-back and Andy Robertson both involved. Ryan Christie is in great form for Bournemouth and adds to midfield options Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson and Kenny McLean. John McGinn could play off Che Adams up front Jamie Braidwood20 March 2025 18:03 How can I watch Greece vs Scotland? The first leg of the Nations League play-off will be shown live on BBC One and iPlayer, with coverage starting from 7pm GMT. Kick-off in Athens is at 7:45pm on Thursday 20 March. Jamie Braidwood20 March 2025 18:01 Good evening Scotland team face Greece in a Uefa Nations League relegation play-off as the men's national team's matches return to free-to-air TV. The Tartan Army take on Greece over two legs as they look to avoid relegation from Nations League A, having finished behind Portugal and Croatia in their group and narrowly missing out on the quarter-finals. Greece finished runners-up to England in their League B group, so are vying for promotion into the top-tier. An impressive campaign for them included a victory over England at Wembley and they will host the first leg. Jamie Braidwood20 March 2025 18:00
