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28.03.2016 at 18:00 SRC Bonifika, Koper
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Attendance: |
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Referee: |
European Qualifier-match |
Grega Sorčan,
Aljaž Krefl,
Luka Krajnc,
Leo Ejup,
Nik Kapun,
Gregor Bajde,
Domen Črnigoj,
Žiga Kastrevec,
Miha Zajc,
Denis Šme,
Žan Benedičič. |
Ian Lawlor
Shane Griffin
Sean Long
Niall Keown
Daragh Lenihan
Jack Byrne
Conor Dimaio
Jack Connors
Sean Hoare
Callum O Dowda
Conor Wilkinson
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Although the Irish got off to a lively start with a number of penetrating attacks early on that ultimately failed to test home keeper Grega Sorčan they were playing second best once Slovenia went ahead in the 14th minute.
Ireland went behind after Miha Zajc forced a corner with a stinging free-kick that Ian Lawlor did well to push wide but from Zajc's resulting corner the ball was turned home by Luka
Krajnc from close range.
In the 24th minute the lively Callum O'Dowda showed his threat for Ireland with a shot from distance that narrowly missed the target.
Zajc had a decent effort for Slovenia deflected over in the 29th minute as the home side looked to push home their advantage.
Ireland suffered another blow in the 55th minute when Gregor Bajde converted from the penalty spot despite the best efforts of Irish keeper Ian Lawlor.
Sean Long had been penalised for a challenge on Aljaž Krefl after Lawlor had saved an initial strike from Zajc.
Lawlor was called into action to deal with another powerful strike from Bajde in the 57th minute.
Slovenia should have extended their lead further in the 63rd minute when Zajc led a break then fed Domen Črnigoj on the right and his low cross landed at the feet of Dino Hotič, who somehow turned over an open goal.
Ireland got a boost from that let off and pulled one back when a low shot by O'Dowda squeezed under keeper Grega Sorčan in the 65th minute.
But just seven minutes later Slovenia went 3-1 up with Zajc found the net with a thumping free-kick from the edge of the box.
In the 80th minute Lawlor showed his quality again when he dived full length to push away a strike on the turn from Hotič.
Four minutes later Lawlor made another decent stop to deny Hotič once more and Lawlor made another save to deny Krefl in injury-time.
Ireland head coach Noel King said: "The big frustration is to have conceded from three dead ball situations. The penalty was extremely harsh and it was the turning point in the game.
"We had some good spells in the game but didn't make it pay. We lost key players to injuries in the game also but overall it wasn't a good enough performance and a disappointing result.
"We will look at how the other games in the group pan out in the coming weeks before looking at bringing in the next age group where we have some very talented young players coming through."
SLOVENIA: Grega Sorčan, Aljaž Krefl, Luka Krajnc, Leo Ejup, Nik Kapun, Gregor Bajde (Luka Zahovič 78), Domen Črnigoj, Žiga Kastrevec (Dino Hotič 55), Miha Zajc, Denis Šme, Žan Benedičič (Leo Štulac 46).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Ian Lawlor, Sean Long, Sean Hoare, Niall Keown, Darragh Lenihan, Shane Griffin (Dylan Connolly 61), Connor Dimaio, Conor Wilkinson (Seán Maguire 39), Jack Byrne, Callum O'Dowda (Joshua Barrett 75), Jack Connors. |
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