Ireland are already guaranteed a place in the round of 32, after opening wins against Panama and Uzbekistan.
Every other side in the group has been beaten at least once, so if they can avoid a loss in Doha today, Colin O’Brien’s side will be guaranteed top spot and ostensibly, an easier game in the knockout stages.
Paraguay, however, won’t be an easy opponent.
They narrowly lost their opening match 2-1 to the Uzbeks, before overcoming Panama by the same scoreline.
A draw will likely be enough for Paraguay to advance as well, so it’s no surprise that neither team are throwing bodies forward with abandon to try to win this game.
As I type, though, McDonnell’s shot deflects out for a corner.
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As it happened: Ireland v Paraguay, U17 World Cup
Ireland 0-0 Paraguay
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
Ireland are already guaranteed a place in the round of 32, after opening wins against Panama and Uzbekistan.
Every other side in the group has been beaten at least once, so if they can avoid a loss in Doha today, Colin O’Brien’s side will be guaranteed top spot and ostensibly, an easier game in the knockout stages.
Paraguay, however, won’t be an easy opponent.
They narrowly lost their opening match 2-1 to the Uzbeks, before overcoming Panama by the same scoreline.
Confirmation of the Irish team below…
We’re underway…
2 mins: Ireland are on the front foot in the early stages.
Noonan and Butler have won free kicks in promising positions, but Paraguay have dealt with the early deliveries well.
7 mins: Sherlock does well to cut out a dangerous cross with De Carvalho lurking.
The Irish defence then comfortably deal with two corners in quick succession.
10 mins: McDonnell puts in a dangerous low cross after a good run forward, but it eludes everyone.
There hasn’t been much between the teams in these early stages.
15 mins: Paraguay have been quite aggressive in these early stages.
Umeh and Butler are both the victims of late challenges seconds apart.
20 mins: Paraguay are employing long throws, which are in vogue in the game right now.
Acosta has a Rory Delap-esque technique and is capable of throwing the ball deep into the penalty area.
25 mins: Sloppy play from Cullen, as he kicks it straight out of play for a corner.
Ireland are playing like a team that know they only need a draw as they have been happy to sit back and put the onus on Paraguay to attack.
26 mins: Close for Paraguay.
Ozhianvuna tries to clear a Campss cross, but gives it straight to De Carvalho, whose low shot goes narrowly wide.
29 mins: Paraguay have clearly identified Umeh as Ireland’s danger man.
A couple of strong challenges have been committed on the winger, who isn’t making too much of a fuss over the rough treatment he has been afforded.
34 mins: Noonan has got very little service, but he has done quite well feeding off scraps.
The Shamrock Rovers starlet has managed to win a few free kicks while holding the ball up and relieving some of the pressure on Ireland.
38 mins: Ireland have occasionally found themselves in promising attacking positions.
But perennially, the final pass or cross has let them down.
42 mins: Finneran makes a good driving run before slipping through Umeh.
The Benfica youngster doesn’t get a proper connection on his finish, and it’s saved via the goalkeeper’s legs.
45 mins: Ozhianvuna makes a good run before sending McDonnell through on goal.
But the Club NXT player fires over the bar, under pressure from the defender.
There will be three minutes of first-half stoppage time…
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 0-0 PARAGUAY
So half-time and the two sides have been relatively evenly matched.
For long periods of the opening 45, Paraguay had the better possession and territory without troubling the opposition defence unduly.
But Ireland finished strongly and went close on separate occasions through Umeh and McDonnell.
And as it stands, Colin O’Brien’s side are going through in first place, as a draw will be enough to see them top the group.
The second half has begun…
There were a couple of changes at the break.
For Ireland, McDonagh replaced Sherlock.
For Paraguay, Ojeda and Buhring are on for De Carvalho and Campss.
48 mins: Early chance for Paraguay.
Buhring goes through on goal, but he takes a heavy touch, and Noonan is off his line sharply to gather the ball.
Villalba’s low cross sets up Franco.
But McDonnell does well to stop the goal-bound shot with a last-ditch block.
In the other group game, Uzbekistan look set to secure their place in the knockout stages.
They currently lead Panama 2-0.
61 mins: It’s been a scrappy last few minutes.
Neither side has created much.
62 mins: Triple change for Ireland.
Cullen, Noonan and McAteer go off.
Martos, McMahon-Brown and Ogbonna come on.
64 mins: The substitute Ogbonna makes an immediate impact.
He shows good skill to evade two Paraguay players down the right.
Fernández gathers the winger’s hanging cross at the second attempt.
68 mins: Close for Ireland.
Ozhianvuna gets the ball on the edge of the area, and his goalbound shot is deflected over.
71 mins: Ogbonna tries his luck from distance.
But the shot drifts a few inches wide.
72 mins: Another change for Paraguay.
Freyres replaces Villalba.
76 mins: It continues to be quite cagey.
A draw will likely be enough for Paraguay to advance as well, so it’s no surprise that neither team are throwing bodies forward with abandon to try to win this game.
As I type, though, McDonnell’s shot deflects out for a corner.
81 mins: A penalty claim made by Ireland for handball is rejected after it goes to VAR.
A corner hits off the arm of Coronel in the area, but the referee says the player’s arm was in a natural position.
83 mins: Another change for Paraguay.
Ruiz replaces Franco.
84 mins: Ireland go close again, as Ozhianvuna curls an effort narrowly wide.
Colin O’Brien’s side have definitely had the better of this second half
87 mins: Umeh gets on the end of Finneran’s delivery, but his diving header is off target.
It would have been offside anyway.
Here’s a look at that big first-half chance…
There will be four minutes of stoppage time.
And there is a break in play with Ozhianvuna receiving treatment.
92 mins: Acosta has taken a knock and is withdrawn.
Ruiz comes on in his place.
Uzbekistan are coasting into the next round, as they’re beating Panama 5-0.
It means this point is important for Ireland, as they need it to top the group.
As I type, Umeh fires wide from a tight angle.
FULL-TIME: IRELAND 0-0 PARAGUAY
So that’s that.
Ireland produce a solid performance to draw 0-0 with Paraguay.
It was a tight game, but if it were a boxing match, Colin O’Brien’s side would have won.
Umeh and McDonnell were among the players to go close as Ireland finished the stronger, after Paraguay had a decent spell in the first half.
They won’t worry too much, however, having qualified as group winners.
Right, that’s all from me.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read our match report on the site shortly.
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Colin O’Brien Liveblog Minute-by-Minute Ireland Republic Paraguay