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16.04.2013 at 15:00 Oscar Traynor Road
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Attendance: |
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Referee: |
Friendly / T/S-match |
Republic of Ireland U15s 1 Finland 0
THE Republic of Ireland Under-15 side beat Finland 1-0 in a friendly international at the Oscar Traynor Centre in Coolock this evening thanks to goal by Jean Yves Poame.
Niall Harrison’s side had the majority of the possession but only produced one goal to show for it although they’re defence led by Conor Masterson and Robert McCourt was in top form.
Corduff FC midfielder Poame headed the breakthrough goal on the half hour after connecting with a corner kick delivered by Malahide United’s Zachary Elbouzedi.
Templeogue United’s Steven Kinsella was denied a second goal by visiting keeper Jere Piirainen in the 33rd minute after he was put through on goal by a clever Brandon Payne pass.
Piirainen denied Kinsella once more five minutes later after the Irish midfielder made a driving run in from the left flank and fired in a low strike.
Substitute Niilo Mäenpää produced Finland’s most dangerous attempt on goal in the 43rd minute but his long distance lofted effort was eventually gathered by retreating Irish keeper Corey Chambers.
Kinsella had another chance to extend Ireland’s lead in the 60th minute but he fired into the side-netting and ten minutes later Kinsella drilled the ball across the goal-face but neither substitute Conor Davis nor Conor Levingston could divert the ball towards the unguarded net.
The two sides will meet against at Swords Celtic FC on Thursday at 12 noon.
“I felt we played okay in the first half but in the second half we never really got going at all. We went aware from the principles of what we were trying to do. The Finns came out for the second half and were an awful lot brighter than we were on and off the ball,” said Ireland coach Niall Harrison.
“We won the game. It wasn’t pretty but it’s not always going to be pretty and it was enough to get a win but I’d have preferred to see better from us in the second half.
“We were good defensively and never looked like being carved open but when we move the ball quickly in the final third we will carve teams open but we dilly-dallied on the ball and allowed the opposition defence to get back.
“These are the only games we’ve had at home this season and sometimes there can be more pressure on the lads playing in front of their families and friends. We don’t put any pressure on them but do ask them to play properly.
“On Thursday we’ll have seven new lads in the squad and the boys who didn’t play tonight will feature in that match. It’ll be a good test for them.”
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Corey Chambers; Ismael Diallo, Conor Masterson, Robert McCourt, Seán Whelan, Jean Yves Poame, Jesse Stafford Lacey, Brandon Payne, Zachary Elbouzedi, Steven Kinsella, Mark Buckley.
Subs: Conor Davis for Buckley 58 mins; Conor Levingston for Stafford Lacey 65.
FINLAND: Jere Piirainen; Kalle Salmi, William Lindqvist, Joonas Sundman, Alfred Söderman, Omar Jama, Kaan Kairinen, Mikko Jalkanen, Mikael Soisalo, Lassi Lappalainen, Samu Alanko.
Subs: Saikou Ceesay for Söderman 41; Niilo Mäenpää for Kairinen 41; Lucas Lingman for Lappalainen 41; Otto Lahikainen for Soisalo 67; Riku Tamminen for Alanko 67.
REFEREE: Ben Connolly. |
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