12.02.2008 at 19:30 Athlone Town Stadium
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Attendance: 1100 |
Referee: T Kelly |
Tournament / PROG-match |
Alan Smith
Conor Morrissey
Robert Maloney
Sean Mc Ginty
Daniel Devine
James Kavanagh
John O'Sullivan
Shane Byrne
Gary Merritt
Daniel Mc Guinness
Daniel Purdy
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Andris Zabusovs, Vitalijs Barinovs, Sergejs Rebizovs, Agris Otankism, Arturs Reinis, Aleksejs Gilnics, (C), Roberts Savalnieks, Edgars Vardanjans, Filips Petrenko, Edgars Verdins, Jurijs Arhipovs-Prokofjevs |
None. |
Filips Petrenko Sergejs Rebizos 35 mins; |
Republic of Ireland 4-1 Latvia
The Republic of Ireland started with more purpose than their Latvian counterparts who looked to soak up the Irish pressure early on.
Irish striker, Daniel Purdy almost gave the Irish a deserved lead after 19 minutes, he ran on to a Daniel McGuinness cross but he saw his headed effort flash past the Latvian goal.
The Irish opened the scoring after 23 minutes, midfielder, James Kavanagh provided a perfectly flighted corner-kick into the box and Belvedere's Daniel Devine rose above everyone in the box to power his header past Latvian keeper, Zabusovs.
The opening goal seemed to inspire the Irish attack line and they got a second four minutes later, Daniel Prunty chased a long ball down the right flank and he provided a pin-point cross into the six yard which evaded the keeper and his strike partner, Daniel McGuinness was on-hand to slide the ball home from close range.
As the Irish continued to cause the Latvian back-line severe problems, it was the Lourdes Celtic hit-man, Daniel McGuinness who punished some slack Latvian defending. Daniel Purdy burst through the box and his shot was blocked by the on-rushing defenders, James Kavanagh let loose from the rebound which was blocked into the path of McGuinness who made no mistake of his finish from close range.
Latvia clawed a goal back just before half-time with a sublime effort by Latvian striker, Verdins. He collected the ball at the edge of the box from a pass by teammate, Petrenko and he curled a well-placed shot beyond the reaches of Alan Smith in the Ireland goal.
Vincent Butler's side began the second with the same force which gave his side a comfortable lead at half-time. After 46 minutes, Daniel Purdy chased down a long ball from the Irish midfield, he let the ball run over this shoulder and struck a half-volley from 15 yards, placing it well out of the Latvian keepers reach to make the scores 4-1.
The Irish maintained their dominance throughout the second half in which Latvia failed to register any real meaningful attempt on Alan Smith’s goal. After today’s results, Vincent Butler’s side will face Turkey at Tullamore tomorrow evening knowing that victory will go some way to deciding the winners of the FAI International Midland Tournament.
Referee: T. Kelly
Republic of Ireland: Alan Smith, Conor Morrissey, Robert Maloney, Sean McGinty, Daniel Devine (C), James Kavanagh, John O’ SullivanShane Byrne, Daniel McGuinness, Daniel Purdy, Gary Merritt,
Substitutes: Sean McDermott, Neil Byrne (on for McGinty, 58 Mins), Michael Barker (on for Shane Byrne, 63 Mins), Derrick Williams, Carl McHugh, Ryan Markey (on for Merritt,51 mins) , Adam Pigott (on for Purdy, 51 Mins)
Latvia: Andris Zabusovs, Vitalijs Barinovs, Sergejs Rebizovs, Agris Otankism, Arturs Reinis, Aleksejs Gilnics, (C), Roberts Savalnieks, Edgars Vardanjans, Filips Petrenko, Edgars Verdins, Jurijs Arhipovs-Prokofjevs
Substitutes: Raivo Varazinskis, Kristians Bozis, Vladimirs Mukins, Ojars Ostrovskis, Ivans Visockis, Artjoms Loginovs, Artjoms Stasko
FAI Midlands International Tournament Information
Tuesday 12th February Athlone Town Stadium Belgium 1-2 Turkey Kick-off: 5.30 pm
Republic of Ireland 4-1 Latvia Kick-off: 7.30pm
Wednesday 13th February Tullamore AFC Belgium v Latvia Kick-off: 5.30 pm
Republic of Ireland v Turkey Kick-off: 7.30 pm
Friday 15th February Athlone Town Stadium Turkey v Latvia Kick-off: 10.00 am
Republic of Ireland v Belgium Kick-off: 12.00 pm |
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