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18.07.2019 at 15:00 Yerevan Football Academy Stadium, Yerevan
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Attendance: |
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France |
1 - 0
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Rep of Ireland Under 19 |
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Referee: Sergey Ivanov (Russia) |
European Finals-match |
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Badiashile 90+5 mins, |
None. |
18th Jul 2019
It is hardly surprising that France were selected as one of the pre-tournament favourites to lift the trophy as they displayed their quality in this exciting game, played under 33 degree heat.
Wilson Isidor ultimately provided the final blow as his header evaded Ireland goalkeeper Brian Maher, who will be adding several clips from this game to his highlights reel, and sealed a second win of the competition for Les Bleus.
Tom Mohan sent his team out with a specific gameplan and they executed it, almost to perfection. It was unfortunate that a late goal stopped them from taking a point from this game.
The half-time statisitics didn't make for good reading from an Irish perspective with France unloading 11 shots at goal compared to one for the boys in green. But the figures didn't tell the full story as Ireland maintained their shape, closed gaps, and pressed high to great affect.
The quality of the French team shone through late in the first half with Bridge Ndilu and Charles Abi both firing shots at goal, but Maher was equal to both as he pushed them away.
If anyone thought that it was going to be one-way traffic in the second period, they would have been mistaken as Ireland pushed forward and started to threaten. A dangerous cross from Brandon Kavanagh just past the hour mark deserved to be notched in.
Then Jonathan Afolabi looked to take control by attempting to lob France keeper Stefan Bajic from inside his own half. The effort went just over the crossbar. And just a minute later, the Irish frontman broke free of his marker to blast a shot at goal that Bajic had to be at his best to save.
France, though, were determined to regain their earlier momentum so they brought on several substitutes. One of those new faces, Yanis Begraoui, thought that he had scored on 74 minutes but Irish captain Lee O'Connor was on the line to block his effort.
It was another replacement who broke the deadlock on 83 minutes when Isidor rose highest in the penalty area to meet a lobbed cross and head past Maher. While it was a good goal from a French perspective, it acted as a cruel blow for Ireland.
Next up is a clash with Czech Republic on Sunday, where Ireland know that a positive result could send them through into the semi-finals.
Republic of Ireland: Maher; Lyons, McEntee, McGuinness, Ledwidge; O'Connor, Hodge; Reghba, Kavanagh (Coffey 65), Everitt; Afolabi.
France: Bajic; Kalulu, Solet (Marcelin 84), Badiashile, Ndicka Matam; Ndilu (Isidor 78), Picouleau, Caqueret (Begraoui 67); Abi (Minpole 77), Ponceau (Gomes 67); Flips.
Referee: Kristo Tohver (Estonia). |
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