Latest news with #UWNL
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
McCabe: Only 'massive' improvement will suffice against Slovenia
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe says only a "massive improvement" next Tuesday against Slovenia will offer the Girls in Green any chance of promotion to League A of the Nations League. Carla Ward's side fell behind four minutes after the interval at Esenler Stadium in Istanbul, but Turkey's hopes of upsetting a side 35 places above them in the world rankings were scuppered by an own goal and Emily Murphy's last-minute winner. It was yet again another below-par display overall by Ward's charges, but the result at least keeps promotion hopes alive. Just about. Ireland must beat Slovenia - a side they lost 4-0 to earlier in the campaign - 5-0 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday to win the group and gain promotion to League A. Failure to achieve that result and they'll head for a promotion/relegation play-off against one the League A third-placed teams in the autumn. Reflecting on the scrappy win, McCabe says while the result was key, only an upturn in general play will suffice on Leeside. "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," she told RTÉ Sport. 🇹🇷 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 "We didn't move the ball quick enough, we didn't move Turkey quick enough. We allowed them into the game with some sloppy mistakes. "It gave them that sniff to go forward. We need a massive improvement if we are going to beat Slovenia on Tuesday. "It's a tough ask. They have played brilliant for the whole Nations League campaign. I've got belief in us We can score goals from different phases of play. "We can't rush it. We have to be patient. We need to be at our absolute best." The skipper cited a change in tactics under Ward, as players get used to her style, as a possible explanation for Ireland's sluggish starts in games, but was particularly aggrieved by the manner in which they conceded the opening goal of the game, Kader Hancar finishing past Courtney Brosnan. "This is our fifth game under Carla, it's not going to be perfect," she said. "From a standards point of view, we have to implement that (gameplan) a little quicker and come out of the traps faster. "If we want to be pushing for (League) A in the Nations League, we can't be conceding goals like that, we gave them too much space. We need to take more care with the ball." After playing her part in Arsenal's Champions League-winning exploits against Barcelona last week, there were suspicions that Ward might start the Tallaght woman on the bench. McCabe however was included from the off, putting in a player of the match display and said she never had any fears that mental or physical exertions from the club celebrations would impact her international duties. "I feel really good," she said. "It was a massive result for the club last week and we were ecstatic with becoming champions. I enjoyed the full celebrations, but it was full focus on these two games. "I said to Carla when I came in I was ready to play and give it all for the team."
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.'
Glasgow Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
England boss Sarina Wiegman hopeful Lauren James will be fit for Euros
The 23-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in April, missing the business end of the Blues' sixth-straight Women's Super League title-winning campaign, and remains unavailable for England's upcoming Nations League meetings with Portugal and Spain. Experienced trio Georgia Stanway, Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp all make their respective returns from long-term knee injuries, while there is a maiden senior call-up for Tottenham defender Ella Morris. 'We look at (James) as an individual,' said Wiegman. 'She is where she should be at. She can't join us in the next camp but with her we are trying to build her with her club. Here it is…🤩 The #Lionesses squad named for our #UWNL group stage finale! 👊 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 13, 2025 'She wants to go to the Euros and hopefully we can get her fit and ready to go into it. She needs to be helped and able to train. Then you can build a bit. You need to find balance in your squad. You can't bring in three or four players in that stage (returning from injury). 'She is working really hard to get fit. It's also a fact that she has performed really well and developed quickly. 'She has really showed up for Chelsea and for us so I want to give her a chance. She is a special player who can have moments in the game where she is decisive. I know she is working really hard to get there. 'We have many options up front. I hope everyone does really well and of course, it's nice to have that opportunity again. I hope I get lots of headaches as that means everyone is performing at the highest level and we have decisions to make.' Stanway and Hemp both return from long-term knee injuries (Bradley Collyer/PA) James scored three goals at the 2023 Women's World Cup, where she also added three assists, but has experienced a number of injury setbacks. Wiegman is expected to name the 23-player squad that will travel Switzerland – and defend the Lionesses' first major silverware – at the conclusion of their final Nations League group stage encounters. They first host Portugal at Wembley on May 30 before travelling to meet group leaders Spain on June 3. The England boss feels it is too soon to make any decisions about her final selections for the Euros, where the Lionesses will play France in their Zurich opener on July 5. Wiegman says it is too early for any final decisions (Adam Davy/PA) Wiegman was delighted for England's Arsenal contingent, and insisted the fact that they will be playing in the Champions League final on May 24 was 'not a concern'. A selection of Manchester City and Manchester United players could also take part in the inaugural World Sevens seven-a-side tournament, with its 5 million USD (£3.7m) prize pot, before that Lisbon final in the Portuguese capital. Wiegman said she and her team have had 'conversations with clubs' about that competition, adding players 'know what they need'. She said: 'Of course they are not going to overload themselves. They're going to do smart things knowing what's ahead of them, so I don't see it as a big problem.'
Rhyl Journal
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
England boss Sarina Wiegman hopeful Lauren James will be fit for Euros
The 23-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in April, missing the business end of the Blues' sixth-straight Women's Super League title-winning campaign, and remains unavailable for England's upcoming Nations League meetings with Portugal and Spain. Experienced trio Georgia Stanway, Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp all make their respective returns from long-term knee injuries, while there is a maiden senior call-up for Tottenham defender Ella Morris. 'We look at (James) as an individual,' said Wiegman. 'She is where she should be at. She can't join us in the next camp but with her we are trying to build her with her club. Here it is…🤩 The #Lionesses squad named for our #UWNL group stage finale! 👊 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 13, 2025 'She wants to go to the Euros and hopefully we can get her fit and ready to go into it. She needs to be helped and able to train. Then you can build a bit. You need to find balance in your squad. You can't bring in three or four players in that stage (returning from injury). 'She is working really hard to get fit. It's also a fact that she has performed really well and developed quickly. 'She has really showed up for Chelsea and for us so I want to give her a chance. She is a special player who can have moments in the game where she is decisive. I know she is working really hard to get there. 'We have many options up front. I hope everyone does really well and of course, it's nice to have that opportunity again. I hope I get lots of headaches as that means everyone is performing at the highest level and we have decisions to make.' James scored three goals at the 2023 Women's World Cup, where she also added three assists, but has experienced a number of injury setbacks. Wiegman is expected to name the 23-player squad that will travel Switzerland – and defend the Lionesses' first major silverware – at the conclusion of their final Nations League group stage encounters. They first host Portugal at Wembley on May 30 before travelling to meet group leaders Spain on June 3. The England boss feels it is too soon to make any decisions about her final selections for the Euros, where the Lionesses will play France in their Zurich opener on July 5. Wiegman was delighted for England's Arsenal contingent, and insisted the fact that they will be playing in the Champions League final on May 24 was 'not a concern'. A selection of Manchester City and Manchester United players could also take part in the inaugural World Sevens seven-a-side tournament, with its 5 million USD (£3.7m) prize pot, before that Lisbon final in the Portuguese capital. Wiegman said she and her team have had 'conversations with clubs' about that competition, adding players 'know what they need'. She said: 'Of course they are not going to overload themselves. They're going to do smart things knowing what's ahead of them, so I don't see it as a big problem.'
Leader Live
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
England boss Sarina Wiegman hopeful Lauren James will be fit for Euros
The 23-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in April, missing the business end of the Blues' sixth-straight Women's Super League title-winning campaign, and remains unavailable for England's upcoming Nations League meetings with Portugal and Spain. Experienced trio Georgia Stanway, Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp all make their respective returns from long-term knee injuries, while there is a maiden senior call-up for Tottenham defender Ella Morris. 'We look at (James) as an individual,' said Wiegman. 'She is where she should be at. She can't join us in the next camp but with her we are trying to build her with her club. Here it is…🤩 The #Lionesses squad named for our #UWNL group stage finale! 👊 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 13, 2025 'She wants to go to the Euros and hopefully we can get her fit and ready to go into it. She needs to be helped and able to train. Then you can build a bit. You need to find balance in your squad. You can't bring in three or four players in that stage (returning from injury). 'She is working really hard to get fit. It's also a fact that she has performed really well and developed quickly. 'She has really showed up for Chelsea and for us so I want to give her a chance. She is a special player who can have moments in the game where she is decisive. I know she is working really hard to get there. 'We have many options up front. I hope everyone does really well and of course, it's nice to have that opportunity again. I hope I get lots of headaches as that means everyone is performing at the highest level and we have decisions to make.' James scored three goals at the 2023 Women's World Cup, where she also added three assists, but has experienced a number of injury setbacks. Wiegman is expected to name the 23-player squad that will travel Switzerland – and defend the Lionesses' first major silverware – at the conclusion of their final Nations League group stage encounters. They first host Portugal at Wembley on May 30 before travelling to meet group leaders Spain on June 3. The England boss feels it is too soon to make any decisions about her final selections for the Euros, where the Lionesses will play France in their Zurich opener on July 5. Wiegman was delighted for England's Arsenal contingent, and insisted the fact that they will be playing in the Champions League final on May 24 was 'not a concern'. A selection of Manchester City and Manchester United players could also take part in the inaugural World Sevens seven-a-side tournament, with its 5 million USD (£3.7m) prize pot, before that Lisbon final in the Portuguese capital. Wiegman said she and her team have had 'conversations with clubs' about that competition, adding players 'know what they need'. She said: 'Of course they are not going to overload themselves. They're going to do smart things knowing what's ahead of them, so I don't see it as a big problem.'
