Planet Swans ArchivesThe Republic of Ireland are through to the second round of the World Youth Championships after topping Group E with a 2-0 victory over Mexico in the final group game in Al Ain on Friday evening.
Ireland will now face Colombia in Al Ain on Tuesday with high hopes of progressing even further in the competition, though they will be without Darren Potter – sent off on Friday – and Glenn Whelan and Stephen Kelly who both picked up their second bookings of the tournament.
It was a day for defenders as Kelly and Stephen Paisley scored Ireland’s goals in a tight game in which they were always in control.
From the first whistle, Ireland went looking for the victory with Kevin Doyle almost turning a Stephen Elliott cross into the net after just 14 minutes.
The pair combined brilliantly again five minutes later when Doyle returning the compliment for Elliott only for goalkeeper Jose Martinez to spectacularly turn away his powerful header.
Two minutes later, Paisley was only inches away with a shot from the edge of the area.
Mexico meanwhile were struggling to make an impression the game with only a Ricardo Jimenez strike that forced Brian Murphy into a finger tip save.
And Ireland’s dominance was eventually rewarded in the 35th minute when Paisley headed home Willo Flood’s right wing free kick for his second goal in as many games after scoring one of Ireland’s goals against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
But it wasn’t all plain sailing for Ireland and they were reduced to ten men in the 44th minute when Darren Potter and Jesus Palacios were both given their marching orders for a scuffle on the half way line.
With Ireland still regrouping, Mexico almost grabbed an equaliser when Fausto Pinto beat Paddy McCarthy in the box before firing into the side-netting.
Mexico started the second half strongly also with Aldo de Nigris firing into the side-netting after Francis Torres had burst through while Torres went close himself moments later with a shot from distance.
However, frustration was creeping into the Mexican’s play with manager Eduardo Rergis’ seeing two of his assistants sent off for protesting on the touchline.
Butin the closing stages, Ireland guaranteed the victory when Kelly slottedinto an empty net afterEamon Zayed’s cross had been spilled by goalkeeper Martinezwhen he and Kelly competed for the cross.
Teams: Republic of Ireland: Murphy (Swansea City); Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur), McCarthy (Manchester City), Paisley (Longford Town), Capper (Scarborough); Flood (Manchester City), Whelan (Manchester City), Potter (Liverpool), Foley (Liverpool); Elliott (Manchester City), Doyle (Cork City). Subs: Fahey (St Patrick’s Athletic) for Flood (54 mins), Zayed (Bray Wanderers) for Elliott (61 mins), Ward (Kidderminster) for Whelan (79 mins).
Mexico: Martinez, De la Barrera, Huiqui, Jimenez, Pinto, De Nigris, Torres, Mendoza, Palacios, Ortiz, Torres. Subs: Medina for Mendoza (64 mins), Romo for De Nigres (67 mins).
Referee: Wilso Souza (Brazil).
