IRELAND CRUISED TO a comfortable 3-0 victory over Kosovo on Saturday afternoon in Portugal, a result which keeps their hopes alive of qualifying for the Uefa U19 European Championships in Finland later this year.
Highly-rated Southampton midfielder Michael Obafemi got Ireland up and running after just five minutes with a powerful low finish into the bottom corner.
This before further goals from Manchester United prospect Lee O’Connor and 18-year-old Blackpool forward Rowan Roache made sure of the three points at the Estadio dos Arcos.
Head Coach Tom Mohan described his side’s games against Slovakia and Kosovo this week as “two cup finals” and following on from Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with the Slovaks, Ireland are in a much more comfortable position with the prospect of making the championships still alive.
Obafemi struck first early on, shielding his marker away from the ball before tucking a low right-footed effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Flamur Gashi.
O’Connor lobbed the goalkeeper eight minutes later following some calamitous defending inside the box, with Roche notching home from close range after a low Obafemi cross into the danger zone after the break to make sure of the win.
The team return to action on Tuesday evening against Portugal knowing a win could be enough to send them through.
WATCH: Michael Obafemi gives #IRLU19🇮🇪a 1-0 lead against Kosovo. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/2hM6VrlVE0
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 24, 2018
WATCH: Lee O'Connor lobs the goalkeeper to give #IRLU19🇮🇪a 2-0 lead against Kosovo. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/lz7NfYirgX
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 24, 2018
GOAL: #IRLU19🇮🇪have scored a third, against Kosovo.
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 24, 2018
Rowan Roache scores his first of the game.
Match updates available here ➡️ https://t.co/DF61svLv1e … … #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/3QoRT5XGm2
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