Courtesy: FAI.ie


U21 Futsal team narrowly beaten

Thursday, 10 April 2008

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 Futsal team were narrowly beaten 2-1 in their second match of the UEFA Under-21 Futsal Championship in Andorra by the host nation. Despite leading at halftime thanks to team captain Mark Langtry´s goal and hitting the woodwork six times, the Irish youngsters found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline.

The Irish team started brightly, with Philip McDonagh hitting the post after just 1 minute. McDonagh and Alan Lynch had a few more good chances and keeper Keith Gallagher was very unfortunate hitting Andorra´s crossbar twice.

Mark Langtry finally broke the deadlock after 15 minutes, when he picked up Gallagher´s long throw and converted for the Irish lead.

The second half saw us on the back foot as the host nation pressured for the equalizer. Their keeper equalized after 8 minutes of the second half with an unstoppable shot in the top left corner. We then had a few chances through Philip McDonagh and two long range effort from our keeper John Perkins who replaced Keith Gallagher in the second half, before we were caught on the break, with Andorra taking the lead with 7 minutes to play.

Lady luck was not on our side however as we wasted more gilt edged chances in the dying minutes of the game.

The Irish lads showed another excellent performance and were heartbroken to lose a game in which they dominated most of the possession and created enough chances to win the game comfortably. The team will play their last match of the qualifying campaign on Friday against Azerbaijan where a win may be enough to secure second place in the group.

Republic of Ireland - John Perkins (Shamrock Rvrs); Mark Langtry (Shamrock Rvrs), Lloyd Massey (Bray Wdrs), Philip McDonagh (Bohemians), Ian Byrne (Bohemians); Neil Harkin (Derry City), Brendan Dawson (Shelbourne), Dane Massey (Bray Wdrs), Alan Lynch (Longford Town), Keith Gallagher (Bluebell Utd), Craig Duggan (Cork City), Cian McBrien (Galway United). Subs unused: Cathal Lordan (Cork City), Shane O´Neill (Bray Wanderers).
Goal: Mark Langtry





Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com