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13.10.2015 at 15:00 Vicenza
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Attendance: |
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Referee: |
European Qualifier-match |
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Vittorio Parigino 67 mins, |
None. |
Alessio Cragno,
Andrea Conti,
Nicola Murru,
Daniele Rugani,
Alessio Romagnoli,
Rolando Mandragora,
Danilo Cataldi,
Gaetano Monachello,
Alberto Cerri,
Federico Bernardeschi,
Kingsley Boateng |
Sean Kavanagh
Danny Rogers
Glen Rea
Sean Long
Alan Browne
Jack Connors
Josh Cullen
Jack Byrne
Daragh Lenihan
Conor Wilkinson
Callum O Dowda
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Murru 46 mins,
Bernardeschi 48, 7 mins
Cataldi 69 mins,
Parigini 90 mins |
Jack Connors (38)
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Bernardeschi 70 mins |
None. |
THE Republic of Ireland U21 went down to their first defeat in UEFA U21 Championships Qualifying Round Group 2 when they were narrowly beaten by Italy in Vicenza this evening.
Noel King's side threw everything into this game and could consider themselves very unlucky not to take something from it. A draw was the least they deserved considering the visiting side created more of the chances.
The first real chance of the game fell to Ireland in the 16th minute when Jack Byrne worked out a shooting opportunity to fire in a curling effort from the edge of the box that was well saved by keeper Alessio Cragno .
Although Italy had plenty of possession Ireland were seldom troubled in the opening half and King's side threatened a goal one minute before the break when Alan Browne made a powerful run down the left but his low cross was cleared by the home defence.
Italy's first big opportunity came in the 57th minute when Federico Bernardeschi burst through on the Ireland goal but he dragged his strike well wide across the goal-face.
The home side finally made the breakthrough in the 67th minute when substitute Vittorio Parigini ran onto a ball over the top of the Irish defence before lifting the ball past the advancing Irish keeper Danny Rogers.
Two minute later the home wise were reduced to ten men when Danilo Cataldi was booked and Bernardeschi was dismissed after receiving a second yellow for dissent.
Ireland pressed hard to level and in the 71st minute Italy only half-cleared a free-kick and Josh Cullen fired a low volley narrowly wide.
Three minutes later a low cross by Callum O'Dowda worked its way to Sean Kavanagh but he fired wide across goal. It was a major chance for Ireland to equalise.
In the 83rd minute O'Dowda produced an impressive shot from distance which beat the home keeper but unfortunately for Ireland drifted narrowly wide.
Three minutes later O'Dowda cut through centre before sliding the ball to Irish sub Dylan Connoly but his side-footed effort was too high. It was another big opportunity.
Italy did have one last chance in the 90th minute but 18-year-old midfielder Rolando Mandragora shot wide from close range.
After this unfortunate opening loss for Ireland their next action is away to Lithuania on Friday ,November 13, and then home to Norway in a friendly at the RSC on Tuesday, November 17.
ITALY: Alessio Cragno, Andrea Conti, Nicola Murru, Daniele Rugani, Alessio Romagnoli, Rolando Mandragora, Danilo Cataldi, Gaetano Monachello (Luca Garritano 89), Alberto Cerri (Vittorio Parigini 61), Federico Bernardeschi, Kingsley Boateng (Davide Calabria 75).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Daniel Rogers, Sean Long, Jack Connors, Darragh Lenihan, Glen Rea, Alan Browne, Callum O'Dowda, Josh Cullen , Conor Wilkinson, Jack Byrne (Seán Maguire 86), Sean Kavanagh (Dylan Connolly 85). |
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