Our Republic of Ireland U17 side secured a valuable point with an eighty eight minute equaliser to draw one each with the Czech Republic in their second European Championship Finals Group A contest at the Regional Sports Centre, Waterford this Monday evening.
The match was largely even in the first half with both sides somewhat lacking in front of goal. Matters took a turn for the worse from an Irish perspective when substitute Sejk scored with his first touch following his introduction on sixty three minutes. Ireland sought to respond but had no joy until two minutes from the end of normal time when James Furlong’s searching corner kick was calmly slotted home by Andrew Omobamidele at the back post.
Further drama ensued in added time when Festy Ebosale was dismissed following a second yellow card for an alleged offence which replays showed was an act of feigning by the Czech defender. Unfortunately for the Derby County player, there is no appeal for a yellow card and he will miss the crucial decider against top seeds Belgium in Tallaght Stadium on Thursday evening.
It is almost certain that Ireland will need to defeat Belgium in order to progress to the knock-out stage of the competition and the absence through suspension of Ebosale and Conor Carty together with injury concerns surrounding Timi Sobowale and captain Seamas Keogh will make that task even more difficult.
Team:
Gavin Bazunu; Sean McEvoy, Andrew Omobamidele, Anselmo Garcia McNulty, James Furlong; Joe Hodge, Seamas Keogh(C); Festy Ebosale, Charlie McCann, Conor Carty; Matt Everitt
Substitutes:
Brandon Holt for Keogh 68′
Joshua Giurgi for Carty 75′
Roland Idowu for McCann 85′
P W D L F A G/D Pts
Belgium 2 1 1 0 4 1 3 4
Czech Republic 2 0 2 0 2 2 – 2
Republic of Ireland 2 0 2 0 2 2 – 2
Greece 2 0 1 1 1 4 -3 1