Albania v Republic of Ireland: Women’s Nations League game in Shkoder resumes after downpour

The Republic of Ireland's Denise O'Sullivan attempts to control the ball on the waterlogged pitch as Albania's Kristina Maksuti is about to make a challenge — The torrential rain in Shkoder turned the first half into something of a farce

The Republic of Ireland’s Women’s Nations League game against Albania has resumed after play was suspended at half-time following torrential rain.

After the pitch had become waterlogged with the game still goalless, it was announced that the second half had been delayed for an hour.

The action eventually restarted following a 90-minute delay after the water had been cleared from the pitch.

The rain began after 15 minutes of the game and soon became a thunderstorm.

With the ball getting caught up in the surface water on the pitch, attempting to play football quickly became virtually impossible.

Before the downpour began, Kyra Carusa, Denise O’Sullivan and Louise Quinn missed chances for the Irish, who defeated the Albanians 5-1 on Friday as Arsenal’s Katie McCabe scored a hat-trick.

McCabe was among the nominees for the women’s award at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris but was unable to travel to the event because of her Republic of Ireland commitments.

As conditions deteriorated, Mimoza Hamidi missed a great chance for the home side, with the waterlogged pitch coming to the Republic’s rescue with McCabe making a block after the Albanian striker had lost control of the ball.

The Republic went into the contest in Shkoder knowing a fourth successive win would guarantee them top spot in Group One of League B with two games to spare, if Tuesday’s other contest between Northern Ireland and Hungary in Belfast ended in a draw.