Half time report: Ireland three goals down after nightmare first half against Slovenia

IRELAND 0

Ireland are staring into their first Nations League defeat as they trail slick Slovenia by three goals at half-time in Koper.

Despite the hosts sitting 14 places behind 25th-ranked Ireland in Fifa’s listings, Slovenia have dominated from the third minute since Lara Prasnikar raced clear to smash the ball high over Courtney Brosnan’s head.

Denise O’Sullivan saw her shot pawed away by Zala Mersnik but otherwise Ireland have been second best throughout, unable to utilise the strengths of captain Katie McCabe operating in an advanced role.

Prasnikar is a Bundesliga regular for Eintracht Frankfurt but it’s Zara Kramžar who is proving equally menacing in the second game of Carla Ward’s Ireland tenure.

Part of the back-to-back Serie A champions Roma’s squad, the first 2006-born player to ever feature in the Italian top-flight lofted the pass through for Prasnikar to slot home.

Prasnikar then got across Anna Patten from Kaja Korošec’s corner from the right to hook a volley past Brosnan on 28 minutes before Ireland were serrated again six minutes later.

This time Kramžar, who only turned 19 last month, tapped in on the goal-line.

Both teams opened the campaign with wins on Friday but this result will give Slovenia the upperhand in the quest for promotion to League A and an easier route to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

SLOVENIA: Z Mersnik; I Krizaj, L Golob, D Conc, K Erzen; S Makovec, L Prasnikar, K Korosec, Z Kramzar; M Sternad, S Kolbi.

IRELAND: C Brosnan; A Mannion, A Patten, M Campbell, K McCabe: H Payne, R Littlejohn, D O’Sullivan, L Quinn; K Carusa, A Barrett.

Referee: Michalina Diakow (POL).