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06.09.2007 at 19:30 United Park, Drogheda
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Attendance: 1200 |
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Rep of Ireland Under 19 |
1 - 0
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Portugal
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Referee: Pat Whelan |
Friendly / T/S-match |
David Bevan
Cian Hughton
Garry Breen
Brendan Moloney
Shane Lowry
Danny Earls
Michael Spillane
Lorcan Fitzgerald
Paul Marshall
Alan Lynch
Daniel Corcoran
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Neves,
Maia,
Vitor,
Lima,
Santos,
Cristiano,
Rosado,
Cruz,
Rabiola,
Riberiro,
Matias. |
Under-19 International Friendly
United Park, Drogheda
Republic of Ireland 1 -3 Portugal
Spillane 10 Cruz (pen) 34
Breen (o.g.) 36
Matias 46 +1
The Republic of Ireland lost to Portugal tonight in their final warm-up game before their European Championship qualification crusade begins in November.
Sean McCaffrey’s side will meet Belarus, Andora and Portugal again, as they are hosting the mini-group, during the UEFA first phase matches from November 1st – 6th. Ireland will be looking to secure a top-two finish in the group to advance into next year’s Elite phase.
Ireland went ahead early in the first half but were pegged back by a talented Portugal side.
Michael Spillane volleyed the home side ahead after ten minutes when he met Lorcan Fitzgerald’s free-kick from the left at the back post and angled the ball into the far corner.
Shane Lowry was then adjudged to have tripped Marco Matias in the box on 34 minutes and from the penalty-kick, Stelvio Cruz’s deft effort sent goalkeeper David Bevan the wrong way.
Two minutes later, Portugal took the lead when Garry Breen could only head a curling cross from the right by Matias into his own net.
Portugal’s third goal, scored in first-half injury time, also came off an Irish defender. Marco Matias was the source of the goal again, striking a shot from inside the box that took a wicked deflection off Shane Lowry to wrong-foot goalkeeper Bevan.
Ireland made five changes at half-time and the loudest cheer from the United Park faithful came with the introduction of Drogheda United youngster Peter McMahon.
Skipper Spillane was thrust into an attacking role for the second half and his aerial ability sent alarm bells ringing in the Portuguese defence on more than one occasion.
Ireland’s most clear-cut opening fell to Garry Breen with eleven minutes remaining. The centre-back was left alone on the left side of the penalty area but his shot was well dealt with by goalkeeper Ricardo Neves.
Portugal defended resolutely as the Irish swept forward in their numbers in search of a goal to try salvaging something from the game.
The visiting team came close to grabbing a fourth goal in the dying minutes but thankfully for Ireland, a header from Andre Pinto came crashing off the crossbar.
Republic of Ireland:
David Bevan – Aston Villa
Cian Hughton – Tottenham Hotspur
Daniel Earls – Aston Villa
Michael Spillane – Norwich City
Garry Breen – Manchester City
Shane Lowry – Aston Villa
Brendan Moloney – Nottingham Forest
Paul Marshall – Manchester City
Daniel Corcoran – St. Patricks Athletic
Alan Lynch – Bohemian FC
Lorcan Fitzgerald – West Ham
Substitutions:
Michael Daly – Manchester City for Marshall (46 mins)
Ian Bermingham – UCD for Hughton (46 mins)
James Berrett – Huddersfield Town for Corcoran (46 mins)
Shane Redmond – Nottingham Forest for Bevan (46 mins)
Peter McMahon – Drogheda United for Fitzgerald (46 mins)
Portugal: Neves, Maia (Fernandes 46), Vitor, Lima (Pita 65), Santos (Pinto 46), Cristiano (Carvalhas 46), Rosado (Silva 46), Cruz, Rabiola (Hugo 80), Riberiro (Rainho 72), Matias (Ferreira 46).
Referee: Pat Whelan.
Results:
Tuesday, September 4th - 7.30pm
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Portugal
Belfield Park, UCD
Thursday, September 6th - 7.30pm
Republic of Ireland 1 -3 Portugal
United Park, Drogheda |
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