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27.03.2012 at 19:00 sV Venray, Venray (NED)
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Attendance: |
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Albania |
2 - 1
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Rep of Ireland |
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Referee: Andranik Arsenyan (ARM) |
EC Elite Round / T/S-match |
Kristi Marku 35 Mins Pen,
Franc Ymeralilaj 49 Mins, |
Jack Grealish (43)
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Last match for John Morling as manager of Unde 17 team
UEFA Under-17 elite stage qualifier
Republic of Ireland 1 Albania 2
The Republic of Ireland completed their UEFA Under-17 elite stage qualification campaign on a disappointing note today when they lost to Albania in SV Venray, Holland.
A point for John Morlings side would have secured third spot but Albanias counter-attacking style caught the Boys in Green out at two crucial stages of the game.
The contest began promisingly for Ireland when the two centre-backs, Ryan O Reilly and Ryan McConnell, went close with headers from set-pieces. Sam Byrne saw his shot angle wide while Aldo Teqja denied a Jack Grealish effort.
Albania won a penalty 5 minutes before the break when Ireland defender Sean Long was adjudged to have fouled inside the area. Albania skipper Kristi Marku made no mistake from twelve yards.
Ireland reacted well to that set-back by equalising three minutes into the second half. Byrne and interval substitute Conor Wilkinson were involved in the build-up but Grealish still had plenty to do with a shot from 25 yards which flew beyond Teqja.
It was not long before the Albanians regained the lead as they broke at pace and Franc Ymeralilaj applied a cool finish past Eric Grimes in the Irish goal.
The Irish continued to create chances and Wilkinson was unlucky to have a shot rifle back off the crossbar. Defender Ryan O Reilly was sent off late on for a second booking following a mis-timed tackle.
European Champions Holland got the point they needed against joint-leaders Serbia in the other Group 5 game played to consolidate top spot on goal difference and progress to the Slovenia-hosted finals in May.
REP OF IRELAND: E. Grimes (Leeds United); S. Long (Cherry Orchard), R. McConnell (Letterkenny Rovers), R. O Reilly (Stoke City), S. Coyne (Cherry Orchard); D. Hayes (Derby County), K. O Connor (St. Patricks Athletic), G. O Neill (Wolves); S. Byrne (Manchester United), A. O Sullivan (Home Farm), J. Grealish (Aston Villa).
Subs used: C. Wilkinson (Millwall) for O Neill (h/t), J. Leddy (Ipswich Town) for O Connor (57), D. McGlade (Middlesbrough) for Byrne (63).
ALBANIA: Teqja; Jonuzi, Syku, Marku, Sokoli; Cekici, Hakrama, Beqiri, Bardhi; Ymeralilaj, Ymeraj.
Subs used: Murati for Beqiri (44), Lokaj for Murati (52), Vatnikaj for Hakrama (72).
REFEREE: A. Arsenyan (Armenia). |
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