Captains Conor Masterson with Andres Liamas shake hands before kick-off. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO
Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland 0-2 Italy
IRELAND SUFFERED A 2-0 defeat at the hands of Italy in their Uefa U17s European Championships Group D game in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
Having held the Netherlands to a 0-0 draw in their opening match, Tom Mohan’s men faced an Italian side who had lost out 1-0 to England at Beroe Stadium but went down to goals from Simone Lo Faso and substitute Simone Mazzocchi despite a spiriting display.
Ireland had the first shot on goal after five minutes when the excellent Connor Ronan wriggled his way past three Italians and struck low from 25 yards. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma got down to make a smart save.
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It was Italy who opened the scoring nine minutes in, however. Gianluca Scamacca’s cross from the right was gathered by Patrick Cutrone, who cleverly back-heeled into the path of Simone Lo Faso. The Palermo midfielder stepped inside Conor Levingston and rifled the ball into the top corner.
After the shaky start, Ireland really began to assert themselves and Ronan was involved in the much of their clever play. The Wolves midfielder also picked up the first booking of the afternoon for a heavy challenge on Federico Giraudo.
Trevor Clarke, who was the team’s top scorer in qualifying, had a half-chance before the break but Donnarumma was again on-hand to smother.
Italy's Simone Lo Faso celebrates their first goal. Kostadin Andonov / INPHO
Kostadin Andonov / INPHO / INPHO
Mohan decided to replace Clarke with Anthony Scully at half-time and his team began the second period positively. West Brom winger Elbouzedi finished off a super run by offloading to Jamie Aherne, but he could only drag his shot wide.
Joshua Barrett was introduced for Elbouzedi on 49 minutes and the versatile Reading man combined with Ronan to create a golden opportunity. Barrett played a long ball out wide to Ronan, before bursting into the box and receiving the return. His first touch let him down, however, and the chance went begging.
On 53 minutes, Italy brought on Simone Mazzocchi and he made an almost instant impact with their second. The ball wasn’t cleared properly by Ireland full-back Corey O’Keeffe and Lo Faso fed the Atalanta youth team player, who found the bottom corner.
A brilliant block by Conor Masterson, who looks a fine prospect, prevented the Italians from adding a third on 67 minutes and Ireland now have it all to do to progress from the group.
England face the Netherlands later this evening before Ireland take on the 2014 winners in their final group fixture on Wednesday.
Ireland's U17s have it all do to progress to the knockout stages after today's result
Ireland 0-2 Italy
IRELAND SUFFERED A 2-0 defeat at the hands of Italy in their Uefa U17s European Championships Group D game in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
Having held the Netherlands to a 0-0 draw in their opening match, Tom Mohan’s men faced an Italian side who had lost out 1-0 to England at Beroe Stadium but went down to goals from Simone Lo Faso and substitute Simone Mazzocchi despite a spiriting display.
Ireland had the first shot on goal after five minutes when the excellent Connor Ronan wriggled his way past three Italians and struck low from 25 yards. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma got down to make a smart save.
It was Italy who opened the scoring nine minutes in, however. Gianluca Scamacca’s cross from the right was gathered by Patrick Cutrone, who cleverly back-heeled into the path of Simone Lo Faso. The Palermo midfielder stepped inside Conor Levingston and rifled the ball into the top corner.
After the shaky start, Ireland really began to assert themselves and Ronan was involved in the much of their clever play. The Wolves midfielder also picked up the first booking of the afternoon for a heavy challenge on Federico Giraudo.
Trevor Clarke, who was the team’s top scorer in qualifying, had a half-chance before the break but Donnarumma was again on-hand to smother.
Mohan decided to replace Clarke with Anthony Scully at half-time and his team began the second period positively. West Brom winger Elbouzedi finished off a super run by offloading to Jamie Aherne, but he could only drag his shot wide.
Joshua Barrett was introduced for Elbouzedi on 49 minutes and the versatile Reading man combined with Ronan to create a golden opportunity. Barrett played a long ball out wide to Ronan, before bursting into the box and receiving the return. His first touch let him down, however, and the chance went begging.
On 53 minutes, Italy brought on Simone Mazzocchi and he made an almost instant impact with their second. The ball wasn’t cleared properly by Ireland full-back Corey O’Keeffe and Lo Faso fed the Atalanta youth team player, who found the bottom corner.
A brilliant block by Conor Masterson, who looks a fine prospect, prevented the Italians from adding a third on 67 minutes and Ireland now have it all to do to progress from the group.
England face the Netherlands later this evening before Ireland take on the 2014 winners in their final group fixture on Wednesday.
IRELAND: Caoimhin Kelleher, Corey O’Keeffe, Jonathan Lunney, Conor Masterson (c), Darragh Leahy, Marcus Agyel-Tabi, Zachary Elbouzedi (Joshua Barrett 49′), Conor Levingston, Connor Ronan, Trevor Clarke (Anthony Scully 41′), Jamie Aherne (Luke Wade-Slater 72′).
ITALY: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giusseppe Scarlera, Federico Giraudo, Aleesandro Mattioli, Andres Llamas (c), Filippo Melegoni, Manuel Locatelli, Mattia El Hilali, Simone Lo Faso (Edoardo Degl’Innocenti 70′), Patrick Cutrone, Gianluca Scamacca (Simone Mazzocchi 54′).
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COYBIG Ireland Republic Italy UEFA U17 European Championships