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26.09.2015 at 15:00 Harju Sport Center, Lohja
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Attendance: |
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Sweden |
1 - 1
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Rep of Ireland |
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Referee: Edin Jakupović (Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
EC Qualifying Round-match |
Tom Mohan's side ensured top spot and the opportunity for a better seeding in the Elite Phase draw after an impressive three games in Finland this week.
Glen McAuley scored Ireland's goal just before half-time and the Irish looked set to record a clean sweep of victories before conceding a late equaliser from Chelsea's Joseph Colley with three minutes left.
Declan Rice had an early opportunity in the third minute after a Daniel McKenna corner but his effort was off target.
Striker McAuley had a chance in the 27th minute but Swedish keeper Pontus Dahlberg made a save but two minutes later Irish keeper Paul Martin was called into action to deny Seaed Haksabanovic. In the 32nd minute Martin made another save from Joel Asoro .
Four mintues later Dahlberg kept out an effort from Jayson Molumby before McAuley eventually opened the scoring in the 39th minute when he turned the ball home at the back post after Rice had knocked the ball back in following an Irish corner.
Two minutes into the second half Aidan Keena had a chance to extend Ireland\'s lead but he missed the target. Ireland defended for long spells and were comfortable but unfortunately a defensive mix-up allowed Colley an equaliser in the 77th minute.
Mikey Cregan might have grabbed an injury-time winner but his shot was blocked.
"It's great to top the group - it was a tough battle as the Swedes needed to win to top the group," said Mohan.
"We got a good goal and had our chances. Unfortunately they got a gift equaliser which was a pity as overall we’d defended really well.
"This result gives us a better opportunity to have a better draw for the Elite Phase. Overall this week has been a great effort from players, staff, everybody really.
"There was massive work put in. The players were brilliant - they prepared well, showed real professionalism on and off pitch and they played some very good football. They worked very hard and we were disappointed not to get the three clean sheets for them but to concede just goal one in three goals and scoring eight ourselves is very good.
"Now we'll turn our heads to the Elite Phase. We'll look to get some friendlies in and nail down dates and get around to games to prepare for the next challenge. We had four or five players out through injuries so it showed that there is strength in depth at this age group."
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Paul Martin, Daniel McKenna (Michael Cregan 62), Tyreke Wilson, Declan Rice, Canice Carroll, Jayson Molumby, Lee O'Connor, Stephen Mallon, Lukas Browning, Dara O'Shea, Glen McAuley (Aidan Keena 41).
SWEDEN: Pontus Dahlberg, Hugo Andersson, Oscar Krusnell, Johan Stenmark, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Joseph Colley ( 77), Mattias Svanberg, Joel Asoro, Sead Haksabanovic, Henrik Bellman (Alexander Isak 58), Teddy Bergqvist (Oscar Pettersson 78)
RESULTS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
UEFA U17 Championship Qualifying Group 3
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Finland, Eerikkilä-Areena, Tammela (FIN)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
UEFA U17 Championship Qualifying Group 3
Malta 0-6 Republic of Ireland, Harju Sport Center, Lohja (FIN)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
UEFA U17 Championship Qualifying Group 3
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Sweden, Harju Sport Center, Lohja (FIN) |
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