24.10.2011 at 15:00 Dinamo, Almaty (KAZ)
|
Attendance: |
Czech Rep |
1 - 0
|
Rep of Ireland |
Referee: Damir Batinić |
European Qualifier-match |
Daniel Holzer 63 mins |
None. |
REP OF IRELAND U-17 0-1 CZECH REPUBLIC U-17
An eventful final pair of games in the Under-17 UEFA Championship qualifying first phase Group 4 ended with Ireland securing a top-two finish on goal difference.
A win for the Czech Republic today in Almaty confirmed their position as group winners with a maximum 9 points, with Kazakhstan joining Ireland on four points following their 8-0 victory against Liechtenstein.
The combination of results left Ireland with a goal difference of +7 from their three games, one better than the mini-group hosts.
Ireland will proceed along with Czech Republic as the two qualifiers into the elite stage draw to be held in Nyon on November 29.
John Morlings Ireland side bossed possession in the opening half to the extent there was a sense of disappointment a lead had not been taken by the break.
Ryan O Reilly's aerial ability troubled the Czechs and his header from a Jonathan Leddy corner on 27 minutes sailed over.
It was then the turn of Irelands scorer in the draw against Kazakhstan, Jack Grealish, to go close when he ended a mazy run by drilling wide.
However, Ireland's best chance fell to Gary O Neill three minutes before the break but he volley was foiled by a goal-line clearance.
Leddys free-kick forced goalkeeper Radim Jehlička to dive full-stretch ten minutes after the break but the silky Czechs soon stepped up the tempo.
The breakthrough goal came on 63 minutes when a corner from Lukáš Kurušta was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area where the awaiting Daniel Holzer beat Shane Fagan in the Irish goal with a low drive.
Aware that an equaliser might be required to safeguard Irelands passage into the next round, Morling introduced attackers Conor Wilkinson and Kevin O Connor from the bench for the final 15 minutes.
It would not be required in the end although Fagan helped Ireland avoid conceding a second goal in the closing moments by saving from match-winner Holzer.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: S. Fagan (Coventry City); S. Long (Cherry Orchard), K. McFadden (Norwich City), R. O Reilly (Stoke City), S. Coyne (Cherry Orchard); T. Mulroney (Crumlin United), J. Leddy (Ipswich Town), G. O Neill (Wolves), D. Hayes (Derby County); S. Byrne (Manchester United), J. Grealish (Aston Villa).
Substitutions: D. McGlade (Middlesboro) for Hayes (57 mins), C. Wilkinson (Millwall) for O Neill (67 mins), K. O Connor (St. Patricks Athletic) for Leddy (75 mins). |
|
|