O'Brien Goes Full 90 Minutes for Ireland in Loss to Sweden
O'Brien in action with Sky Blue
Robyn McNeil
Jersey Sky Blue forward Michele O'Brien played the entire game yesterday for the Republic of Ireland and a 5-0 loss to Sweden in a qualifying match for the UEFA Women's Euro 2009. The victory clinched a spot for Sweden in the final tournament to be held in Finland next year while Ireland is still battling to become one of the third-place teams to earn a spot in the playoff round.
Karolina Westberg connected twice for Sweden in the victory while Victoria Svensson, Josephine Öqvist, and Lotta Schelin also scored. The two teams meet again on October 1st with Ireland needing a draw to secure at shot at making the final round.
Qualifying for the UEFA Women's Euro 2009 is being contested in six groups with the six group winners gaining berths in Finland for the final along with the host team. The runners-up of each group and the four third-placed teams with the best record against the rest of the top four in their pool will go into five two-legged playoffs in October to complete the field.
A former player with the Long Island Rough Riders and a longtime standout with the Long Island Lady Riders in the W-League, O'Brien has appeared six games this season with Sky Blue. She missed the past three games for Sky Blue due to her call-up with Ireland.
|
Group 2 Standings |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 18 |
| Italy | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 7 | 15 |
| Republic of Ireland | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 12 |
| Romania | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 26 | 4 |
| Hungary | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 1 |