THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland have launched their Fifa U17 World Cup in emphatic style, crushing Panama 4-1 in Doha.
Reaching the tournament at this age for the first time, Colin O’Brien’s side honoured that historic moment with a brilliant display against a Panama side who are competing in this World Cup for the fourth time.
Goals from Jaden Umeh and Kian McMahon-Brown gave Ireland a 2-0 lead at half-time before Michael Noonan and Max Kovalevskis also rattled the net to complete a landmark day for Irish football.
Playing in hot and humid conditions, Ireland conceded a late goal to Panama’s Moises Richards, but the result was already secured.
Benfica's Jaden Umeh puts the Republic of Ireland 1-0 up against Panama in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup clash in Doha.
Ireland have two more games in Group J, and will now turn their attention to Uzbekistan on Saturday before facing Paraguay on Tuesday 11 November.
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Long ball tactics benefitted Ireland greatly in the first half, but their opening goal came from a set-piece on 17 minutes.
Rory Finneran sent in a corner which Umeh met with a perfectly timed jump to put his header in the bottom corner of the Panama net. Umeh was in again moments later, getting in behind the Panama defence with his blistering pace. He got his toe on the ball but his effort was wide of the post.
It's 2-0 to the Republic of Ireland as Kian McMahon-Brown finishes well after some great play.
Michael Noonan also came close when he got on the end of a long ball from Vinnie Leonard. But his powerful volley came back off the crossbar.
Ireland finally broke through for their second goal in the 34th minute. A brilliant touch in the box from Kovalevskis opened the space and after squaring the ball to Ramon Martos, he fed the ball along again to McMahon-Brown for the final touch to double Ireland’s advantage.
That’s how it finished at the break and by the hour mark, Ireland were 3-0 up. It could have been four at that stage, had Umeh’s piledriver from the edge of the box not been ruled out for offside.
IRELAND GOAL 61 mins: Panama 0-4 Ireland Max Kovalevskis shows great tenacity to get back on his feet to slot the ball home #rtesport#U17WWC
But there were no objections to Michael Noonan’s brilliant header in the 57th minute. Ade Solanke, who was excellent throughout, whipped in a cross which Noonan directed into the net to put Ireland into a considerable lead.
There was no way back for Panama when Kovalevskis struck moments later. After a battle for possession in the penalty area which left Kovalevskis on the turf, he jumped back up quickly to pounce on the loose possession and compose himself for the low, powerful strike.
Ireland appeared to tire towards the end of the game, allowing Panama find gaps and create chances. And Moises Richards’ goal in the 88th minute was a deserved reward for their persistence.
But Ireland will still be content to come away with a crucial win and get their World Cup campaign off to the best start.
Republic of Ireland: Alex Noonan; Oisin McDonagh, Vinnie Leonard, Ryan Butler, Ade Solanke [Gavin McAteer '78]; Rory Finneran, Kian McMahon-Brown [Grady McDonnell '63], Ramon Martos [Seán Spáight '78]; Michael Noonan, Jaden Umeh [Brody Lee '89], Max Kovalevskis [Victor Ozhianvuna '63].
Panama: Adamir Aparicio; Anthony Ramos, Joseph Pacheco, Shayron Stewart [Renso Reyes '85], Hector Brias; Pablo Aranda [Adrian Olivardia HT], Estevis Lopez; Gerson Gordon [Abraham Salinas '73], Jossimar Insturain, Edgardo Tovares [Angel James HT]; Moises Richards.
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Republic of Ireland launch U17 World Cup campaign with dominant win
Republic of Ireland 4
Panama 1
THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland have launched their Fifa U17 World Cup in emphatic style, crushing Panama 4-1 in Doha.
Reaching the tournament at this age for the first time, Colin O’Brien’s side honoured that historic moment with a brilliant display against a Panama side who are competing in this World Cup for the fourth time.
Goals from Jaden Umeh and Kian McMahon-Brown gave Ireland a 2-0 lead at half-time before Michael Noonan and Max Kovalevskis also rattled the net to complete a landmark day for Irish football.
Playing in hot and humid conditions, Ireland conceded a late goal to Panama’s Moises Richards, but the result was already secured.
Ireland have two more games in Group J, and will now turn their attention to Uzbekistan on Saturday before facing Paraguay on Tuesday 11 November.
Long ball tactics benefitted Ireland greatly in the first half, but their opening goal came from a set-piece on 17 minutes.
Rory Finneran sent in a corner which Umeh met with a perfectly timed jump to put his header in the bottom corner of the Panama net. Umeh was in again moments later, getting in behind the Panama defence with his blistering pace. He got his toe on the ball but his effort was wide of the post.
Michael Noonan also came close when he got on the end of a long ball from Vinnie Leonard. But his powerful volley came back off the crossbar.
Ireland finally broke through for their second goal in the 34th minute. A brilliant touch in the box from Kovalevskis opened the space and after squaring the ball to Ramon Martos, he fed the ball along again to McMahon-Brown for the final touch to double Ireland’s advantage.
That’s how it finished at the break and by the hour mark, Ireland were 3-0 up. It could have been four at that stage, had Umeh’s piledriver from the edge of the box not been ruled out for offside.
But there were no objections to Michael Noonan’s brilliant header in the 57th minute. Ade Solanke, who was excellent throughout, whipped in a cross which Noonan directed into the net to put Ireland into a considerable lead.
There was no way back for Panama when Kovalevskis struck moments later. After a battle for possession in the penalty area which left Kovalevskis on the turf, he jumped back up quickly to pounce on the loose possession and compose himself for the low, powerful strike.
Ireland appeared to tire towards the end of the game, allowing Panama find gaps and create chances. And Moises Richards’ goal in the 88th minute was a deserved reward for their persistence.
But Ireland will still be content to come away with a crucial win and get their World Cup campaign off to the best start.
Republic of Ireland: Alex Noonan; Oisin McDonagh, Vinnie Leonard, Ryan Butler, Ade Solanke [Gavin McAteer '78]; Rory Finneran, Kian McMahon-Brown [Grady McDonnell '63], Ramon Martos [Seán Spáight '78]; Michael Noonan, Jaden Umeh [Brody Lee '89], Max Kovalevskis [Victor Ozhianvuna '63].
Panama: Adamir Aparicio; Anthony Ramos, Joseph Pacheco, Shayron Stewart [Renso Reyes '85], Hector Brias; Pablo Aranda [Adrian Olivardia HT], Estevis Lopez; Gerson Gordon [Abraham Salinas '73], Jossimar Insturain, Edgardo Tovares [Angel James HT]; Moises Richards.
Referee: Yender Herrera (Venezuelan)
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