16.10.2017 at 18:30 Ivaylo, Veliko Tarnovo
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Attendance: |
Ukraine |
1 - 3
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Rep of Ireland |
Referee: Peter Kjaesgaard |
EC Qualifying Round-match |
After three games, three wins and 12 goals scored, the Republic of Ireland Under 17s have advanced from the UEFA European Championship Qualifying Round as group winners and will be among the top seeds for the Elite Round.
Colin O’Brien’s side had to come from behind at the break this evening where two goals from Adam Idah and one from Adam O’Reilly ensured Ireland beat group rivals Ukraine in Bulgaria.
Idah’s double brings his tally to an impressive seven goals in three games in qualifying. Ireland now advance to the Elite Round as top seeds. Two teams from each group of four will progress to next May’s Finals tournament in England.
Head Coach Colin O’Brien spoke to FAI.ie following the win.
“We are delighted to have finished the group well,” he began. “Ukraine were a big test for us. They pressed us with intensity in the first half and forced us into difficult positions. I felt we were still well in the game at half-time and the team came out and clinically took the chances in the second half. We put together different types of moves and caused Ukraine problems in many ways.
“The whole squad can take credit for how this campaign has gone so far. That goes for players that had little or no game time too because their attitude was good and that kept the whole team pushing in training.
“There will be good teams in the Elite Round no matter who you get. The 100 per cent record is of course pleasing and that is down to the great work put in by the squad and the staff,” O’Brien added.
The draw for the Elite Round takes place on December 6 with the games to be played in early spring 2018.
Republic of Ireland: Clarke, Murphy, Ledwidge, McEntee, Collins, Knight, Coffey (Parrot 46), Idah, Wright (Thompson 72), Brennan, A. O'Reilly.
Qualifying Round Results
Tuesday, October 10: Ireland 6-0 Azerbaijan
Friday, October 13: Ireland 3-0 Bulgaria
Monday, October 16: Ukraine 1-3 Ireland |
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