IRELAND U21S HAVE been beaten 1-0 away to Iceland in their European Championship qualifier today.
It is the first time they have lost in the campaign, having previously secured three wins and one draw.
Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen — son of former Chelsea player Eidur — scored the winning goal from the penalty spot just before the half-hour mark, after Lee O’Connor was penalised for a handball
Ireland could not make the most of their second-half chances, while their misery was compounded late on, as O’Connor was sent off after picking up a second booking.
Michael Obafemi had been handed a first start at U21 level, with Aaron Connolly, Troy Parrott and Jonathan Afolabi all unavailable in attack.
There were two other changes from last week’s 0-0 draw against the group top seeds Italy — Kameron Ledwidge replaced Liam Scales and Connor Ronan made way for Danny Mandroiu.
The Boys in Green will have been disappointed to go in one-down at the break. Michael Obafemi saw a shot saved by Patrik Sigurdur Gunnarsson, while Adam Idah could not find the target with a header.
Dara O’Shea went close in the second half from Jayson Molumby’s free kick, but the defender’s close-range attempt could only find the side-netting.
Idah also could have equalised after a threatening run, but his attempt went wide.
Aaron Drinan and Gavin Kilkenny were both introduced in the dying minutes, but could not rescue a point, as Ireland suffered just their third defeat under Kenny, having previously been beaten by Brazil and Mexico (on penalties) during the Toulon Tournament in the summer.
Ireland remain top of Group 1 following today’s game on 10 points, though Iceland now trail them by just a point and have a game in hand. Italy sit third on seven points, though they have two matches in hand, while Sweden will move onto six points with two games in hand if they beat Luxembourg later today.
Ireland team: Caoimhin Kelleher; Lee O’Connor, Kameron Ledwidge, Conor Masterson, Dara O’Shea; Conor Coventry, Jayson Molumby; Danny Mandroiu (Drinan 86), Michael Obafemi (Kilkenny 75), Adam Idah.
Subs: Gavin Bazunu, Connor Ronan, Jason Knight, Nathan Collins, Jack Taylor, Gavin Kilkenny, Simon Power, Aaron Drinan, Liam Scales.
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Kenny Out
@dublindamo: no let’s see how kenny reacts to this, in his time at rover’s and dundalk he always had a excuse granted at dundalk they were great but it’s the one thing I dislike about him,
@Happy entertainment: it’s just arrived- wind tunnel and unfair peno
Hope they bounce back and win next match didn’t see match but sounds like Ireland had chances so hopefully only a blip along the way
@Dylan lyons: I watched it, we played well enough, we will beat them at home
Ireland never really got going unfortunately.
Iceland are very experienced at U21 level and have had a settled group of players for the past 2 years compared to ourselves.
A point would have been a great result but a loss not the end of the world, still lots to play for and players to come back into the frame.
@Sean O Reily: this Iceland team got hammered 5-0 by Sweden at the weekend. Let’s not hype them up to make this very disappointing result easier to take.
@Cormac Ó Braonáin: Who were beaten 3-1 at home by Ireland. What’s your point?
@Gerard O’Brien: I think that’s exactly his point
Missing some key players there like Connolly and Troy in all fairness.
Interesting group this.
Losing to Iceland at soccer…what’s next…Galway losing to New York in the all ireland…
@Desmond Cassidy: Ah Des, did you forget to take your meds again?
Eidur Gudjohnson…………..or who?, I’ll get me coat.
@Mark o’ Leary: a good gag ruined by the “I’ll get me coat”
I’m not convinced about the wisdom of Kenny succeeding McCarthy, but his u21 record easily beats that of all his predecessors, so I think we should cut him some slack…
You forgot to put Zack Eblouzedi in the line up