25.03.2017 at 13:00 Tallaght Stadium
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Attendance: |
Referee: P Kjaesgaard-Andersen (Denmark) |
European Qualifier-match |
Ireland got the UEFA qualifiers off to a winning start in Tallaght
OLAMIDE SHODIPO proved an ace getting Ireland Under 21s off to a respectable start to the UEFA qualifiers as they beat Kosovo in Tallaght this afternoon.
The QPR attacker tapped over the line from inches out on 57 minutes in a goal mouth scramble to earn the young Boys in Green the three points in a game watched by Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane.
Kosovo, playing the first game in their history at Under 21 level, came close to an equaliser when Nendurim Hoti struck the post from distance.
But this was a routine enough victory for Noel King’s men who were the dominant side creating the majority of the chances.
Derry City striker Ronan Curtis was first to go close on 26 minutes when a lovely left wing cross from Shodipo put him through with Kosovo goalkeeper Visar Beka making a brave challenge to deny him.
QPR’s Ryan Manning then went close when a Harry Charsley knock down from a corner almost fell to him.
But it was his QPR teammate Shodipo who looked the more likely to score the goal as he constantly threatened when cutting from the left.
And it was he who applied the finishing touch to earn the win after a goal mouth scramble involving Charsley and Ryan Sweeney from a corner on 57 minutes.
Hoti hit the post for Kosovo moments later while Sweeney had to clear off the line late on. But Ireland also threatened with Beka made a big save when Curtis burst through on 69 minutes.
Star Man – Olamide Shodipo (Ireland)
Ireland U21: O’Hara 7; Whelan 7, Donnellan 7, Sweeney 8, Kane 7; Charsley 7, Cullen 7, Dimaio 7, Shodipo 8; Manning 7 (Grego-Cox 67, 6); Curtis 7.
Kosovo U21: Beka 7; Tejeci 6, Statovci 6, Kabashi 6, Hasani 6; Gashi 7, Maloku 7, Broja 7, M Hoti 7; E Hoti 6 (Dabiqaj 6, 53,); Pilana 5 (Ajzeri 68, 7).
Referee: P Kjaesgaard-Andersen (Denmark) 6. |
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