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26.11.2013 at 15:00 AVW'66 Doorwerth.
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Attendance: |
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Netherlands |
2 - 1
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Under 15 |
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Referee: |
Friendly / T/S-match |
Colin O'Brien's Under 15s this evening played the first of two away friendly matches against Holland at the AVW'66 grounds in Doorwerth.
O'Brien's side were unlucky not to come away with a result in an evenly matched game that saw Holland run out 2-1 winners.
Immediately from kick-off, Ireland showed their intent with New Ross man, Eoin Porter, pressing the opposition and breaking free to strike a good effort from the edge of the box, requiring a decent save to stop Ireland from taking an early lead.
Belvedere's Jamie Hamilton followed up ten minutes into the match when West Ham's Anthony Scully picked him out with a nicely weighted ball from midfield. Hamilton sent his shot across the keeper, flying narrowly wide.
Holland responded immediately, getting the ball up to their target man, Anderson Lopez, whose first effort came off the post, leaving Irish goalkeeper Jonathan McKenna powerless to block the rebound.
However Ireland were to draw level from the kick off as they broke up the pitch, finding Eoin Porter who was taken down in the area. Anthony Scully stepped up to the spot but Dutch keeper, Delano Kloos blocked the effort only for Scully to find the net with the rebound.
The Dutch went on to seal victory from a well taken 25th minute corner met by Lopez who rose on the far post to send a fine header across goal to score his second.
Ireland kept up the pressure in the second half, enjoying the better chances and were unlucky not to draw level with St Kevin's Boys', Shane Stokes and New Ross Celtic's Eoin Porter both forcing saves from Dutch keeper, Kloos.
Ireland play Holland again on Thursday at midday and will be hoping they can build on a strong opening performance that could easily have gone either way.
Speaking after the game, U15 coach Colin O'Brien commented, "Overall I was very pleased with the performance, especially considering it was the first game of the season for the boys against a nation known for producing top quality players. Our boys did very well and importantly created a good number of real chances in front of goal in a match that on another day might have got us a result. It will have been a good educational experience for them all. We kept to our style of play, performed well in defence and enjoyed good possession against a cagey and technical team. The lads are disappointed that they haven't come away with at least a draw."
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Holland 2- 1 Republic of Ireland. |
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