Izzy Atkinson and Kyra Carusa admitted the torrential rain in Albania presented the Republic of Ireland players with a challenge unlike anything they'd ever encountered before on Tuesday evening.
An incessant downpour made conditions unplayable as both teams slipped and stumbled through increasingly large pools of water.
The game was suspended for over an hour and a half to allow for ground staff to sweep swathes of water off the pitch. On the resumption, Ireland just about dug out a 1-0 victory that sealed promotion to League A of the UEFA Nations League.
"I've never seen anything like it... oh my god"
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 31, 2023
Ireland wing-back Izzy Atkinson speaks to @DAVEKELLY4 following tonight's weather-disrupted win over Albania #COYGIG #IRLWNT #ALBIRL pic.twitter.com/o2LaBSR0C4
"I don't know how many chances we had in the second half, but just with the conditions and everything we're all just buzzing to get the three points," Atkinson told RTÉ Sport.
"I've never seen anything like it to be honest. Oh my God, I don't know how they got it played. We were just ready to go, hoping it was going to be played. I don't think we thought it was going to be played, but it was, and we were just happy to get back out.
"It was sloppy [in the first half]. We didn't pass the ball in the conditions. In the second half once we started to play our game, move the ball and stuff, it suited it us much better."
Atkinson was introduced as a half-time sub and had a real impact on the left, offering genuine width while allowing Katie McCabe to play more centrally. On the right, Heather Payne was also influential in grinding down a stubborn Albania.
It took until the 89th minute for the breakthrough to arrive, when Kyra Carusa's cutback was swept home by Denise O'Sullivan. Relief all round after a tough night at the office.
"Pretty wild, probably one of the wildest games I've ever been a part of in terms of weather"
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 31, 2023
Striker Kyra Carusa reflects on how Ireland overcame difficult conditions in Albania to make it a fourth win from four in their Nations League group tonight #COYGIG #ALBIRL #IRLWNT pic.twitter.com/XBqKSDhPWJ
"Physically demanding, but mentally the most demanding," Carusa reflected.
"It's difficult coming to an away game regardless, but also with the conditions that we had - pretty wild I would say! Probably the most wild game I've ever been a part of in terms of weather.
"But wow, what a testament to the grit and how deep this team is, to pull out a very important win on the road.
"The first half wasn't even playable. The tackles were getting wild... you couldn't even control anything that was happening.
"We want that mentality, that winning streak.These are non-negotiable wins for us at this point."
