European Qualifier
18.11.2015 at 15:00 - Markets Field Limerick
Ireland U19s set for group decider against Scotland
REPUBLIC of Ireland U19 Head Coach Paul Doolin is aiming to steer his side into the UEFA U19 Championships Elite Qualifying phase when they meet Scotland in a decisive fixture in Limerick tomorrow afternoon (3.30pm).
If Ireland avoid defeat against the Scots at Markets Field they will seal one of the top two places in Qualifying Round Group 1. The top two from each group progress alongside the third-placed team with the best record against the top pair in their group.
Doolins side bounced back from a first day 1-0 loss to Slovenia to beat Latvia 3-0 on Friday. Scotland beat Latvia 2-0 then lost 1-0 to the Slovenians. A draw would see Ireland progress on goal difference.
"Everybody is in good shape. The injuries have cleared up, Dan Casey has been given the all-clear after meeting the specialist after suffering a facial injury against Slovenia," said Doolin.
"Scotland are obviously a good group of players as can be seen by them reaching the UEFA U17 Championships semi-finals two years ago and recently did well in a tournament in Germany. They were worthy winners against Latvia and maybe unlucky against Slovenia.
"They have very good attacking players and wide players. Defensively they have just conceded one and looked a good side. They have good players but so have we.
"Our lads have been great. I feel they should be qualified already as we were very unlucky against Slovenia but could not score. We have not done the job yet and it will be a tough game.
"They are a lot better now as a group than we were earlier in the season. We are creating chances and playing well despite the testing weather. We will go into the game looking to get a result to qualify."
RESULTS & FIXTURES
UEFA U19 Championships Qualifying Round Group 1
Friday, November 13
Scotland 2-0 Latvia
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Slovenia
Sunday, November 15
Slovenia 1-0 Scotland, Markets Field, Limerick
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Latvia, Eamon Deacy Park, Galway
Wednesday, November 18
Scotland v Republic of Ireland, Markets Field, Limerick (3.30pm)
Latvia v Slovenia, Eamon Deacy Park, Galway (3.30pm)
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