Under-16 International Friendly
Israel 0- 1 Republic of Ireland
Tidim 10
The Republic of Ireland Under-16 team earned a hard-fought win over their Israel counterparts today in the second of this week’s double-friendly played in Tel Aviv. He was missing for Ireland's two matches against France in Paris in December.
Selcuk Tidim continued his rich vein of form by scoring the only goal of a game played in hot conditions after ten minutes.
The German-born striker, who plays his club football with German second division club FC Pauli von 1910, had netted in his previous two matches for Ireland, in the 1-1 draws against Belgium in November and Israel on Monday.
His decisive goal arrived after Danny Joyce, playing in a an unaccustomed right-back role, raided down the flank and delivered a deep cross into the penalty area.
Tidim anticipated the pass and crashed his volley into the roof of the net over the stranded home goalkeeper.
Ireland went into half-time with a deserved lead and might have extended that with efforts by Robert Brady and Sean Stewart early in the second half which were both saved.
Tidim also threatened for the Irish in the second period after he was sent free by Brady. The striker hurried with the chance and only succeeded in heading the ball into the arms of the advancing net-minder.
Irish manager Vincent Butler said afterwards: “We had most of the possession and the chances during the game.
“I thought we were worthy of the win and our defenders played excellently throughout.
“Selcuk took his goal very well. His finishing is very good and he could have had another goal for himself second half but rushed his effort when, in fact, he had more time and space than he thought.”
Republic of Ireland:
Aaron McCarey – Monaghan United
Daniel Joyce – Belvedere
Danny Fitzsimons – Millwall
Mark O’Brien – Cherry Orchard
John Egan – Greenwood FC
Anthony Bolger – St. Kevin’s Boys
Eoin Wearen – St. Kevin’s Boys
Jeff Hendrick – St. Kevin’s Boys
Robert Brady – Manchester United
Selcuk Tidim – FC Pauli von 1910 e.V
Conor Murphy – St. Kevin’s Boys
Substitutes:
Sean Skelly – Belvedere for Hendrick (41 mins)
Ryan Connolly – Derby County for Murphy (55 mins)
Sean Stewart – St. Kevin’s Boys for Bolger (55 mins)
Stephen McDonnell – Quay Celtic for Wearan (70 mins)
Results:
Monday, February 4th 2008
Israel 1- 1 Republic of Ireland
Ness Ziona Stadium
Today (Wednesday)
Israel 0- 1 Republic of Ireland
Ness Ziona Stadium. |
