EURO HOPES ENDED FOR IRELAND WOMEN

 

The Republic of Ireland won’t be represented at the 2022 UEFA Women’s European Championship in England after they failed to book a playoff spot from Group I of the qualifiers. Ahead of the final matchday (matchday eight) in the group, the Republic of Ireland were in a two-horse race for the playoff spot from Group I with leaders Germany already through to the tournament proper. The Republic of Ireland and Ukraine were the two nations battling for a place in the playoffs.


Ahead of matchday eight, the Republic of Ireland women were leading their Ukrainian counterparts by one point and they needed to better the result of Ukraine on the final matchday to secure their place in the playoffs. Hosts England have qualified automatically for the tournament, while the winners from the nine groups available will join the English team.

The best three second-placed teams in the groups will also qualify for the tournament, while the remaining six second-placed teams will be drawn into three ties with the winner of each tie making up the stipulated 16 teams for the European tournament.

In Group I, Ukraine picked the playoff slot ahead of the Republic of Ireland after the Irish team suffered a 3-1 home loss to former world champions Germany who are the most successful team in the history of the competition.

The Germans are eight-time winners of the competition. Lina Magull gave the Germans the lead on 21 minutes from the spot before TabeaWassmuth added a second goal eight minutes later. A Katie McCabe penalty handed the Republic of Ireland a lifeline on the stroke of half-time before TabeaWassmuth made sure of the three points at stake with her second goal of the game on 85 minutes.

The Germans maintained their perfect record with that result after eight wins from the eight games played. The Republic of Ireland lost the playoff spot to Ukraine who beat Montenegro 2-1 at home in their final qualifier in Group I.