Ireland suffer defeat to Georgia
Credit:
Republic of Ireland 0 Georgia 3
The Republic of Ireland U17 team suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Georgia in the UEFA Championships Elite Qualifying Round at WFV Hirschstetten in Vienna on Wednesday.
Tom Mohan’s side went into the game full of confidence after beating hosts Austria 1-0 on Monday while the Georgians had lost 2-0 to Serbia in their opener. This game proved to be a remarkable encounter that saw the Irish finish up with just nine men.
The Irish were undone during a three minute period early in the second half. In the 54th minute Georgia’s impressive Luka Zarandia intercepted a short kick out and took advantage to the maximum by firing to the net.
Ireland’s hopes suffered a blow when Bristol City defender Pierce Mitchell received a second yellow for kicking the ball away after disputing a refereeing decision in the 55th minute.
Just 60 seconds later Georgia took advantage of the reshaped Irish defence and Roman Roman Tchanturia was put through one on one and was taken down by goalkeeper Peter Burke for a penalty. Burke also received a straight red card in the same incident.
Substitute keeper Harry Doherty saved the penalty with his first action as he got down low to save Zarandia’s shot. The numerical advantage began to tell as the physically imposing Georgia team scored again in the 62nd minute through Illia Kerdzevadze and it was 3-0 in the 71st minute when substitute Grigol Chabradze scored after the Irish failed to clear a corner.
The nine men of Ireland pushed forward but could not force a consolation goal.
The first half was tight and Ireland began the game brightly. Their best chance was a Jack Byrne effort from the edge of the box which came back off an upright in the 15th minute. Ireland now prepare for Saturday’s game against Serbia where a victory can see them through to the Finals in Slovakia in May.
GEORGIA: Goshadze, Patarkatsishvili, Margvelashvili (Malania 76), Tabidze, Zarandia, Tchanturia (Chabradze 59), Kerdzevadze, Kharaishvili, Gelashvili, Shulaia, Baramidze (Beridze 41).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Peter Burke, Bobby Moseley, Pierce Mitchell, Robin Dempsey, Daniel Cleary, Craig Donnellan (Connor Dimaio 50), Cody Mulhall (Harry Charsley 72), Eoghan Stokes, Jack Byrne, Dean O’Halloran, Reece Grego-Cox (Harry Doherty 57).
UEFA U-17 European Championships 2012-13 Elite Round – Group 2
March 25: Republic of Ireland 1 Austria 0, Sportzentrum Schwechat-Ranners, Schwechat-Rannersdorf.
March 27: Republic of Ireland 0 Georgia 3, WFV Hirschstetten, Vienna.
March 30: Republic of Ireland v Serbia, WFV Hirschstetten, Vienna (2.00pm Irish).
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