The 84 minutes Amber Barrett spent on the Aviva Stadium pitch against Sweden was the longest shift she's ever enjoyed in a Republic of Ireland shirt.
Barrett has spent a large chunk of her international career coming off the bench, trying to make an impact as a strong, selfless attacker. She most famously did that in the World Cup play-off against Scotland back in 2022, poking home the goal that sent the Girls in Green to their first ever major tournament.
Against the Swedes, Barrett could – in truth should – have drawn Ireland level when jess Ziu dropped a 32nd-minute cross onto her head. But the effort sailed over the bar from six yards out, and the visitors compounded that miss by scoring twice more in the second half.
Painful lessons that weren’t shirked by anyone in green afterwards, as Ireland now focus on the return Euro 2025 qualifier against the world No 6-ranked Swedes in Stockholm on Tuesday night.
"The chances we had in the first half, we need to be taking them," said Barrett.
"I know myself, the chances I missed, you don’t get five, six, seven, eight chances against top teams, you might only get two or three and we need to do better.
"I have to improve on being able to deal with defenders with my backside, being able to hold them off, but again that comes with time and experience.
"They didn’t have that many chances through the game but the ones they had they put away. It’s something we need to learn on, something we all need to get better at.
"From a striker’s point of view, it would be more worrying if the team wasn’t creating chances. We’re creating chances and just not putting the finishing touches on them. Every game we’ve had a few chances to score."
Republic of Ireland forward Amber Barrett on the missed opportunities to score against Sweden and the importance of taking "chances against League A teams" @FAIWomen #COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE @WEURO #rtesport pic.twitter.com/t1Ydqa0JYX
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 1, 2024
Barrett got the nod from the start on Friday thanks to her excellent form in Belgium with Standard Liege.
She endured a very difficult year with German side Turbine Potsdam where she was either played out of position or not played at all. The Donegal 28-year-old needed a move, and last summer's decision to join Standard Liege – where compatriot Claire O’Riordan also plays – has reinvigorated her.
"This is probably the most confident I’ve been in a long time," said Barrett.
"I’m in a team where I’m playing every week, feeling valued, having a role that’s important to the team and most importantly for me, scoring goals.
"In hindsight, I kind of wish it happened a couple of years ago… but to be honest, I’m feeling great, I’m feeling sharp, I’m feeling ready and of course I am immensely proud to start at the Aviva. A few years ago I would never have thought that was possible."
Ireland have now suffered three qualifier losses from three against France, England and the Swedes. They’ve yet to score a goal and look very likely to finish bottom of the group.
However the mood remains upbeat. Eileen Gleeson’s team are guaranteed a place in the play-offs thanks to a successful UEFA Nations League campaign that saw them promoted to League A.
Operating with the big guns is tough, but there’s a recognition among the squad that they have to go up against the very best to hasten their own improvement.
"It’s exactly where we want to be," insisted Barrett.
"It’s the only way we’re going to learn if we’re amongst the best. That takes time. We’re still in that transition process with new girls coming in, there’s young players coming through.
"I’ve no doubt about the possibilities this team can go to. Euros qualification is our aim; we’re going to give everything to work towards that.
"It’s top-level sport. We know we have to go again. If we want to sit and feel sorry for ourselves we may as well not go to Stockholm.
"It’s a massive learning experience for me. Every game you’re in, playing against the best players in the world, it’s something you learn from. Collectively as a team we can take that forward."
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