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06.10.2011 at 16:00 Hristo Botev - Plovdiv
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Attendance: |
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Bulgaria |
1 - 4
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Rep of Ireland Under 19 |
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Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA) |
European Qualifier-match |
U-19 UEFA first phase qualifier - Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
Republic of Ireland 4-1 Bulgaria
Connor Smith 3 Todor Nedelev 71
Neil Byrne 12
Samir Carruthers 66
Anthony Forde 88
The Republic of Ireland Under-19s collected a valuable three points against mini-group hosts Bulgaria today in their opening game of the UEFA first phase qualifiers.
Early goals from Connor Smith and Neil Byrne put Ireland into a commanding interval lead, which was added to by Samir Carruthers in the second half. Todor Nedelev reduced the arrears but Anthony Forde made it 4-1 near the end.
Ireland settled early amid the hot temperatures inside the stadium and grabbed a 3rd minute goal.
Connor Smith of Watford display tremendous alertness to spot Bulgarian goalkeeper Dimitar Evtimov off his line and the execution of a delightful chip was perfect to rattle the net.
Doolins side continued to press and their pressure soon yielded a second. Fordes industry created the corner from which Neil Byrne was on hand to smash the ball into the net via the underside of the crossbar.
Ivaylo Chochev twice went close to halving the deficit for the hosts but Ireland finished the half as they started it - in control.
Indeed, only for a superb double-save by Evtimov from Carruthers and then Murray, the contest would have been over by the break.
As it stood, Ireland need to remain composed. They continued to be defensively solid in the face of some Bulgarian pressure.
That was complemented at the other end by a string of passing moves which had the Bulgarian defence floundering on several occasions.
Carruthers cracked a shot over the crossbar just past the hour and the Aston Villa player did finally get a deserved goal on 63 minutes.
A corner routine straight off the training ground allowed to Carruthers advance on goal unhindered before drilling number three into the net.
Bulgaria kept in the battle and Todor Nedelevs free-kick pulled one back for them 20 minutes from time.
But the last intervention was left to the impressive Anthony Forde. The Wolves player left a number of defenders in his trail before finding the top corner with a textbook shot.
Irelands win leaves them in a position that three from their second game on Saturday against Bosnia and Herzegovina will guarantee them one of the two qualification places into the elite phase. The Bosnians won 2-0 against Russia, who Ireland conclude their series against on Tuesday 2-0, in the other Group 2 game.
Doolin was delighted to get three points from todays opening fixture.
"It is a great start to the group because to beat the host nation in such convincing fashion is a great credit to the lads," he said.
"We created enough chances in the first half to have been ahead by more but you cannot ask for better than a 4-1 victory in the opening fixture.
"Getting something from the first game of these mini-groups is vital and the players were excellent."
Republic of Ireland: McDermott (Arsenal); Barker (Bohemians), Byrne (Notts Forest), McHugh (Dundalk), Williams (Aston Villa); Murray (Watford), O Sullivan (Blackburn Rovers), Carruthers (Aston Villa); Garmston (West Brom), C. Smith (Watford), Forde (Wolves).
Subs used: G. Smith (Southend United) for Carruthers (75 mins), Lyons (UCD) for C. Smith (89 mins), George (Celtic) for Forde (90 mins). |
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