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Early strikes lift Russia over Smyth, Ireland in key World Cup qualifier

05/08/2014, 6:45am CDT
By ERIC ANDERSON
Shannon Smyth

Russia scored two early goals and went on to a 3-1 victory over Shannon Smyth (Mequon/Milwaukee DSHA) and the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday night in Dublin, taking control of the race for second place in Group 1 of UEFA Women's World Cup qualifying.

With Germany (7-0-0, 21) all but assured of winning the group, Ireland and Russia are vying for second place – the top four runners-up from the seven qualifying groups advance to the playoffs, where the winner will claim a berth in next summer's Women's World Cup in Canada.

The Irish (2-2-1, 7 points) are five points behind the second-place Russians (4-1-0, 12) midway through the double round-robin group play.

Both teams have to play runaway group leader Germany (7-0-0, 21) once more, making the other four games that much more important. In all likelihood, Ireland will need to win the rematch between the teams on June 19 in Russia and have Slovakia, Slovenia or Croatia pull off an upset to have a chance to catch the Russians.

Smyth played the full 90 minutes on Wednesday at Tallaght Stadium in her 30th cap for the Republic, deployed as the center attacking midfielder in manager Sue Ronan's 4-3-3 formation.

Coming off a hard-fought match against Germany, in which the world's second-ranked side needed a late goal to pull out a victory, the Irish went into the home game with confidence. But the visitors seized control early, as Ekaterina Sochneva headed in a corner kick in the 7th minute, then played in a cross that Ekaterina Pantyukhina finished off 5 minutes later for a 2-0 lead after just 12 minutes.

Ireland pulled one back on Fiona O'Sullivan's half-volley in the 35th, but Pantyukhina scored her second of the night 2 minutes before halftime to restore the two-goal lead and Russia went on to the vital victory.

The Irish – who have never qualified for a major tournament – play host to last-place Croatia on June 14, five days before the rematch against Russia.

On Twitter: @ShannonSmyth

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