The Republic of Ireland WNT enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory over Morocco in an International Friendly Monday evening, with goals from Megan Campbell, Katie McCabe, Louise Quinn, and Kyra Carusa.
The match was the culmination of an 8-day training camp in Marbella, Spain, designed to kick off training for the World Cup next summer.
Ranked 76th in the world, Morocco was always going to be the underdog (the Republic of Ireland is 24th), and they were further weakened by many of their best players’ absence due to the African Champions League final Saturday, where Moroccan club AS FAR triumphed over the Mamelodi Sundowns 4-0.
Ireland managed two goals in the first seven minutes, the first from Campbell (aided by Denise O’Sullivan) and the second a penalty scored by McCabe.
The next 40 minutes were less exciting, with Ireland seeming to lose the initiative and Morocco’s defence strengthening. But with 14 minutes to play Louise Quinn marked her 100th international appearance with a goal.
Soon after birthday girl Kyra Carusa finished the scoring for Ireland.
Republic of Ireland: Brosnan; Finn (Abbie Larkin half-time), Fahey, Quinn, Caldwell (Hayley Nolan 79), Campbell (Chloe Mustaki 62) ; O’Gorman, Agg, O’Sullivan (Aoibheann Clancy 62), McCabe (capt), Barrett (Kyra Carusa 62).
Morocco: Assia Zouhair; Sabbah Seghir, Maryem Atiq, Mrabet Yasmin, Rkia Mazrouai, Nahla Elodie Nakkach (capt) (Ibtissam Bouharat), Sana Daoudi, Sakina Diki Ouzraoui, Sofia Bouftini (Imane Saoud 62), Salma Amani, Anissa Belkasmi.
Referee: Jason Lee Barcelo (Gibraltar)