Soccer Scene

Change:  Move to:
14.08.2008 at 18:00 Locamotiv Stadium Attendance:
Bulgaria 2 - 0 Rep of Ireland
Referee: Friendly-match

Goalscorers
Ivan Vinkov 11 mins;
Geoghi Milanov 23 mins;
None.
Opening squads
Ivan Stoyanov,
Ilia Milanov;
Kiril Ognazanov;
Ivan Jechez,
Dimitar Blagov,
Ivan Vinkov,
Ilian Kapitov,
Geoghi Milanov,
Stephen Valkov,
Valeri Drandev,
Valentin Vaelinov.
Sean Diamond
Daniel Joyce
John Egan
Eoghan Osbourne
Mark O'Brien
Eoin Wearen
Shane Murray
Stephen Mc Donnell
Sean Stewart
Ryan Connolly
Michael Rafter
Substitutes
Martin Mitev,
Martin Sineova,
Georghai Amzin,
Mario Kolachavo,
Evham Mehmet,
Steni Seferinkin,
Ivan Goranov,
Ciaran Gallagher
Anthony O'Connor
Sean Skelly
Paul Lawless
Jeff Hendrick
Patrick Mc Eleney
Robbie Benson
Substitutions
Steni Seferinkin for Vinkov 44 mins;
Mario Kolachavo for Vaelinov 47 mins;
Georghai Amzin for Drandev 55 mins;
Evham Mehmet for Kapitov 64 mins;
Ivan Goranov for Milanov 73 mins;
Sean Skelly -> Shane Murray (21)
Ciaran Gallagher -> Sean Diamond (41)
Paul Lawless -> Eoghan Osbourne (41)
Robbie Benson -> Eoin Wearen (41)
Jeff Hendrick -> Sean Stewart (57)
Patrick Mc Eleney -> Michael Rafter (57)
Anthony O'Connor -> Stephen Mc Donnell (77)
Yellow cards
Valentin Vaelinov 50 mins; Daniel Joyce (22)
John Egan (44)
Stephen Mc Donnell (58)
Sean Skelly (80)
Red cards
None None.
Match report
Under-17 Friendly International
Bulgaria 2-0 Republic of Ireland

Sean McCaffrey’s Irish Under-17 were not as clinical in attack as they were in Tuesday’s win over Bulgaria as they slipped to defeat in Sofia today.

The starting team showed six changes to the side that beat Bulgaria in the first meeting between the nations.

Ireland enjoyed a lively opening and might have led inside five minutes had Sean Stewart managed to get his shot on-target after Ryan Connolly whipped in a cross from the wing.

Bulgaria took the lead after 11 minutes when the Irish defence was opened up and goalkeeper Sean Diamond was beaten from the edge of the box.

It got worse for the Irish on 23 minutes when they conceded a penalty following a challenge inside the area by captain Danny Joyce. Once more, Diamond was helpless to prevent the Bulgaria attacker making it 2-0.

Stung by the concession of those goals, Ireland looked to cut the arrears but struggled to create chances as the break approached.

Jeff Hendrick and Ryan Connolly both tried their luck with shots which flew over the crossbar in the second half but they couldn’t pull a goal back.

Manager Sean McCaffrey intended to use these two matches as preparation for the UEFA Championship qualifying series commencing next month and he was given an insight into the capabilities of the 19 players who made the trip to Sofia.

Ireland travel to Luxembourg from September 26 - October 1 to meet Greece, Andorra and the mini-group hosts looking to clinch one of the two qualifying places into the Elite phase.

Republic of Ireland Under-17:
Sean Diamond - St. Johnstone
Daniel Joyce - Reading
Eoghan Osborne - Albion Rovers
John Egan - Greenwood
Mark O'Brien - Derby County
Eoin Wearen - West Ham United
Sean Stewart - St. Kevin’s Boys
Shane Murray - Arklow Town
Stephen McDonnell - Celtic
Ryan Connolly - Derby County
Michael Rafter - Colchester United
Substitutions:
Sean Skelly – Belvedere for Murray (inj) – 21 mins
Ciaran Gallagher - Castlefin for Diamond – 41 mins
Paul Lawless - Derby County for Osbourne – 41 mins
Robert Benson - Athlone Town for Wearen – 41 mins
Jeffrey Hendrick - Derby County for Rafter – 57 mins
Patrick McEleney – Foyle Harps for Stewart – 57 mins
Anthony O'Connor - Blackburn Rovers for McDonnell – 77 mins.

Tuesday August 12
Bulgaria 0-2 Rep. of Ireland

Thursday August 14
Bulgaria 2-0 Rep. of Ireland
Powered by tplSoccerStats 2.3.1.1 © 2003 TPL Design