WITH NINE POINTS from their opening four Uefa U21 European Championship qualifiers, Ireland will be looking to add another win when they face Lithuania next month.
Noel King’s side beat Andorra twice before earning a 3-0 victory over Lithuania at Waterford’s RSC earlier this month, but they suffered a first defeat of the campaign against Italy four days later in Vicenza.
They now sit level with Italy, Serbia and Slovenia in Group 2 and head to Vilnius to play on 13 November before a friendly against Norway the following week.
“We are totally focused on Lithuania,” said King. “We had a very good performance against them in Waterford earlier this month and we are looking for a similar performance and a similar result in Vilnius.”
“This is a hugely important game for us. We want to stay in the hunt for qualification and 12 points from the first 15 available would be a super start. This particular Irish team has a clear focus on what they want, they are together and determined to achieve it.
“The dressing room was full of disappointment after the 1-0 defeat in Italy. This stemmed from the fact that they had competed at a very high level and deserved something from the game.
“The only thing missing was goals. The team competed very well and limited them to just one shot on target while creating several chances ourselves.
The players have set a high standard that they want to maintain it. The next test is winning in Lithuania.
“Unusually, there has not been many changes to the squad over the first four games. This consistency, together with winning, has helped to build a momentum, develop an understanding and build a strong team morale – all of which can be vital to success.
King added: “Norway always prove an attraction and are a very difficult opponent, but at this moment the only focus is Lithuania. All our concentration and effort will go into trying to beat them in Vilnius and come back to the RSC with 12 out of 15 points. It’s a difficult task, but one this team are determined to succeed in.”
Ireland U21s eye up top spot in Euro qualifying group as King names strong squad
WITH NINE POINTS from their opening four Uefa U21 European Championship qualifiers, Ireland will be looking to add another win when they face Lithuania next month.
Noel King’s side beat Andorra twice before earning a 3-0 victory over Lithuania at Waterford’s RSC earlier this month, but they suffered a first defeat of the campaign against Italy four days later in Vicenza.
They now sit level with Italy, Serbia and Slovenia in Group 2 and head to Vilnius to play on 13 November before a friendly against Norway the following week.
“We are totally focused on Lithuania,” said King. “We had a very good performance against them in Waterford earlier this month and we are looking for a similar performance and a similar result in Vilnius.”
“This is a hugely important game for us. We want to stay in the hunt for qualification and 12 points from the first 15 available would be a super start. This particular Irish team has a clear focus on what they want, they are together and determined to achieve it.
“The dressing room was full of disappointment after the 1-0 defeat in Italy. This stemmed from the fact that they had competed at a very high level and deserved something from the game.
“The only thing missing was goals. The team competed very well and limited them to just one shot on target while creating several chances ourselves.
“Unusually, there has not been many changes to the squad over the first four games. This consistency, together with winning, has helped to build a momentum, develop an understanding and build a strong team morale – all of which can be vital to success.
King added: “Norway always prove an attraction and are a very difficult opponent, but at this moment the only focus is Lithuania. All our concentration and effort will go into trying to beat them in Vilnius and come back to the RSC with 12 out of 15 points. It’s a difficult task, but one this team are determined to succeed in.”
Ireland U21 squad:
Daniel Rogers (Aberdeen -on loan at Falkirk)
Eric Grimes (Leeds United)
Sean Long (Reading FC – on-loan at Luton Town)
Jack Connors (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Glen Rea (Brighton – on loan at Southend United)
Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers)
Alan Browne (Preston North End)
Callum O’Dowda (Oxford United)
Josh Cullen (West Ham United)
Conor Wilkinson (Bolton – on loan at Barnsley)
Jack Byrne (Man City – on loan at Cambuur)
Sean Kavanagh (Fulham)
Reece Grego-Cox (QPR FC)
Dylan Connolly (Ipswich Town)
Shane Griffin (Reading FC)
Henry Charsley (Everton FC)
Sean Hoare (St Patrick’s Athletic)
Sean Maguire (Dundalk FC)
Lee Desmond (St Patrick’s Athletic)
Kenneth McEvoy (Tottenham – on loan at Stevenage)
Sam Byrne (Everton FC)
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Next generation Noel King sam byrne Ireland Republic Lithuania U21s