Ireland’s under-17 charges dominated the entire game but still failed to beat Slovenia in this European qualifier at Turner’s Cross on Friday night, October 25th.
Brain Kerr will no doubt be disappointed with the way this qualifying tournament turned out for his side, having lost two and drawn one. However the Irish deserved all the points against Slovenia, and although they failed to win, they still finish in third place on goal difference.
Stephen Foley gave Ireland the lead after 40 minutes. Patrick Cregg created the goal and Foley powerfully smashed his pass home from 16 yards.
Ireland continued to be the better side in the second half and could have added to their tally but it was the visitors who found the target in the 70th minute. A cross from Zoran Jankovic was headed across the goalmouth by Dragan Jelic and tapped in by Sandro Bloudek.
Foley was Ireland’s best player on the night but he will have taken little joy from the overall result.
Ireland: Logan, Kelly, Elebert, Nash, Lyng, Cregg, Foley (O’Donnell 67), O’Brien, McGeady, Sheridan (Flynn 75), Gill (Keogh 58).
Slovenia: Kotar, Cviganovic, Mulavdic, Jankovic, Komel, Dzeladini (Tutic 46), Ilic (Azizi 46), Elsner (Bloudek 67), Kalakovic, Birsa, Jelic.
Referee: R Rogalla (Switzerland)
Teams Pld W D L GF GA Pts
Germany 3 2 1 0 6 1 7
France 3 2 1 0 3 1 7
Slovenia 3 0 1 2 3 6 1
Republic of Ireland 3 0 1 2 1 5 1 |
