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30.10.2008 at 19:30
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Attendance: |
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Referee: |
Tournament / PROG-match |
Dalibard 7 Mins,
Monconduit 24 mins;
Kakuta 30 mins;
Nyviadzi 54, 82 mins; |
Joe Mason (35)
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France 5 Republic of Ireland 1
France produced a peak performance tonight to overcome an inexperienced Ireland in the second series of matches in the friendly tournament in Limoges, France.
The French were slick and well-balanced as a team despite constant heavy rain and their efficiency in front of goal was admirable as they took full advantage of their scoring chances.
Ireland showed six changes from the team that drew with Serbia in the opening match of the four-team tournament on Tuesday.
Manager Sean McCaffrey set out to use the tournament as a means of offering a number of previously un-capped players an opportunity of playing themselves into consideration for future internationals.
He also used a number of players from the U17 squad who competed in the finals of the UEFA U17 Championship in Turkey in May, 2008.
Not surprisingly then the French showed more smooth team-work and they gained control of the game with three goals in the opening half-hour.
France scored after seven minutes through Dalibard. Monconduit stretched their lead with a shot that flew into the net off an upright in the 24th minute and they led by three when Kakuta scored six minutes later. Kakuta is on Chelsea’s books.
Ireland’s response followed a free kick in the 35th minute when Robert Kiernan’s accurate free was turned to the net by Joe Mason.
Ireland included only five of the players who were on the team that was beaten 2-1 by France when they conceded a second goal in added time in the European Championship final tournament at U17 level in May.
Ireland made two changes at half-time and continue to compete with determination but they could not prevent France adding two more goals.
Sunu, who is signed with Arsenal, raced down the left wing and when he crossed the ball, Nyviadzi was there to head into the Irish net in 54 minutes.
Nyviadzi added the fifth in the 82nd minute as France, with a more mature and experienced squad, ran out winners.
Manager McCaffrey paid tribute to the French – “They were very impressive and they scored a couple of very special goals.”
However he expressed a level of encouragement from what he saw from the Irish – “We actually played very well; we knocked the ball about well and the scoreline did not truly reflect the run of the game.
“We were light in physique by comparison and we had a couple of players playing in their first international. We lacked the strength and the experience of France.”
McCaffrey added: “A number of our players played exceptionally well. Robert Kiernan at centre-back and Graham Kelly in the centre of midfield were very good for us.
“Joe Mason was great up front and we have high hopes for young Chris Collins of MK Dons who was injured in the first match against Serbia and will not play again in this tournament.”
Ireland will complete their programme when they play Denmark on Saturday.
Sean McCaffrey concluded: “The U17 squad who qualified for the finals of the UEFA Championship in May is an exceptional group of players but we did not bring them all here.
“I expect that nine or ten of them will jump up to the U19 squad who are due to play in the preliminary round of the UEFA 2009 U19 Championship in a couple of weeks time.”
Ireland were drawn in Group Four of that tournament and they will compete with Malta, Liechtenstein and France in France for one of the top two positions so they can go through to the second, elite qualifying phase.
The Irish team that started tonight's game was:
Republic of Ireland: Gerard Hanley (Galway United); Shaun Timmins (Birmingham City), Mark Connolly (Wolves), Robert Kiernan (Watford), Johnny Dunleavy (Wolves), Callum O’Shea (Chalrton Athletic), Graham Kelly (Derby County), Chris Kerr (Drogheda United), Ronan Murray (Ipswich Town), Jason Hughes (Limerick 37), Joe Mason (Plymouth Argyle).
Subs: John Sullivan (Bohemians) & Padraic Ormsby (Bohemians) for Callum O’Shea & Chris Kerr 46; Orrin Farrell (Kildare County) for Jason Hughes 66; Kallum Keane (Derby County) for Ronan Murray 89. |
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