AMBER BARRETT says it’s “glorious” to be back on the scoresheet for the first time since last October’s play-off heroics in Glasgow.
The new Standard Liege signing bagged a second-half brace as the Girls in Green continued their preparations for Australia with a 3-2 win against Zambia in front of 5,732 fans at Tallaght Stadium.
“That’s the first time I’ve scored for club or country since Scotland,” said Barrett, who netted with her first touch - a 49th minute penalty - and doubled her tally 18 minutes from time.
READ MORE: Ireland 3-2 Zambia: Barrett at the double as Ireland kick off World Cup preparation in style
“For any striker that is a long time to go without a goal but, honestly, the relief when the penalty happened is something I can’t describe.
“It’s funny, you put so much pressure on yourself to score and when it goes in the pressure comes off and you can just go back and refocus on the next task.”
She added: “It’s funny, the feeling comes back to you and it’s such a glorious feeling when it comes back.”
Barrett’s double has secured her spot in Vera Pauw’s final 23-player squad - even if the player herself is not yet going to acknowledge it.
“I still think Vera has a busy few days ahead of her as she tries to pick the squad and nobody in our team is taking everything for granted,” she said.
“Everyone is keeping their fingers and toes crossed for Thursday.”
As for Pauw, when it comes to finalising her squad next Thursday, last night’s performance saw some players advance their case for inclusion.
“We are going to have a very long discussion,” said Pauw, who was without Katie McCabe, Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Campbell against Zambia.
O’Sullivan and Campbell will join the rest of the players in Dublin next week.
Celtic defender Claire O’Riordan also found the net last night, to crown a performance that boosted her World Cup hopes.
“She was actually on the fringe and not selected,” admitted Pauw.
“But because of her last games at Celtic, especially her cup final, the best performance is the norm and it was against Rangers, and her best performance told us she was part of the squad.
“The way she trained has been phenomenal.”
Pauw was delighted with the run-out against a side that offered a similar challenge to Group B opponents Nigeria.
“We know what it is to play an African team now,” she said.
“You will never get this against a European team, this style of play, physical pressure, pressure that constantly goes over you in power and pace.
“That sort of play you will not get.”
