\n The Para Lions faced the Republic of Ireland in their final group game at the EPFA Nations Cup on Monday afternoon
\n <\/p>\n
England\u2019s Powerchair squad edged past the Republic of Ireland to seal top spot in their group at the EPFA Nations Cup.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Para Lions, who had already beaten Scotland<\/a>, Italy<\/a> and Denmark<\/a> in their first three games to secure their place in the semi-finals, made it four wins from four in the group stage but had to grind their way past a well-drilled Ireland side who set out to frustrate from the very first whistle.<\/p>\n The Para Lions found themselves stifled for long spells, with a relentless opponent preventing them from breaking Ireland down.<\/p>\n But the decisive moment came once again from a set piece. Bolding\u2019s free-kick was shifted into Dan McLellan, who laid it off perfectly for Marcus Harrison to slot home.<\/p>\n Ireland rarely ventured forward but remained organised and disciplined until the final whistle, making England\u2019s task a frustrating one.<\/p>\n However, head coach Adam McEvoy \u2013 reflecting on the result after the game \u2013 admitted he expected a tough battle.<\/p>\n \u201cWe knew that Ireland was going to make the game difficult \u2013 they used the other games as a blueprint as a tactical setup to try and frustrate \u2013 and that was apparent from the off,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was just the case of being patient, and that was the message before the game and at half time.<\/p>\n \u201cOverall we\u2019re very pleased. It\u2019s nice to have four wins, it\u2019s meant that we\u2019ve done the job we needed to do in the group to finish top, and to qualify for the World Cup next year as well\u201d<\/p>\n And McEvoy was quick to stress the growing importance of dead-ball situations in the game for his team.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we win those set pieces, how clinical can we be?\u201d he continued. \u201cI\u2019d like us to be more clinical.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been a couple of occasions from corners or free-kicks where I\u2019d love us to hit the target.<\/p>\n \u201cLuckily today we had a nice, well-worked one that was finished really well by Marcus, and that won us the game.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say it was difficult because they didn\u2019t really look to come and play \u2013 they just defended so it was difficult to break them down,\u201d added captain Jon Bolding.<\/p>\n \u201cWe worked on a few things and we hoped to open them up a bit more but it wasn\u2019t to be – but we got the goal, and that\u2019s all that counts.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously [Ireland coach Adam] Crowle knows us well \u2013 you could hear him on the side lines reinforcing \u2018don\u2019t chase the ball,\u2019 where our game is about the opposition chasing. Them staying still made it really difficult to open them up.\u201d<\/p>\n The victory ensured England topped their group and qualified for the 2025 FIPFA World Cup, with the semi-finals up next for the Para Lions in Italy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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