A goal in each half saw Belgium secure a 2-0 victory over the Ireland Women's Under-19s in the opening game of Group A6 in the UEFA European WU19 Championship Qualifiers.Played at the National Training Centre in Tubize, Belgium, Dave Connell's team registered eight attempts on goal and played well in spells but the two goals conceded ultimately settled this contest.Belgium showed their class at periods with Thirsa De Meester firing them ahead on 18 minutes and then Aurélie Reynders finished things off in added time.Ireland shot-stopper Katie Keane was kept busy, but the Girls in Green had chances of their own through Lia O'Leary, Jess Fitzgerald and Jodie Loughrey.
FT | A defeat for our #IRLWU19’s, but two more games to go 👊#COYGIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/btYXww2ZRZ
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) October 25, 2023
They will quickly turn their attention to Saturday's game against Faroe Islands, who lost to the Netherlands, in order to get off the mark in the group.Belgium: Lise Musique; Saar Janssen, Axelle Van Besauw, Caitlin Lievens, Kimberly Scohier; Nadege Francois (Lena Hubaut 46), Aurelie Reynders, Margaux Martle (Yara Tassens 85); Thirsa De Meester (Gvantsa Tabagari 90), Veronique Zang Bikoula (Romane Jadoulle 63), Zarah Taillieu (Pia Bosmans 63).Ireland: Katie Keane; Meabh Russell, Kate Thompson, Eve Dossen, Lia O'Leary (Sophie Morrin 81); Jodie Loughrey (Aoibhe Fleming 61), Aoife Kelly, Jess Fitzgerald (Rola Olusola 81); Ellen Dolan, Joy Ralph (Ceola Bergin 61), Hannah Healy (Freya Healy 70).Referee: Jelena Medjedovic (Serbia).UEFA EUROPEAN WU19 CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 QUALIFIERSWednesday, October 25 | Belgium 2-0 IrelandSaturday, October 28 | Ireland v Faroe Islands, National Training Centre Tubize, KO 18:00 Tuesday, October 31 | Ireland v Netherlands, National Training Centre Tubize, KO 14:00
