REPORT | MU19 | Narrow loss to Belgium

With top spot on the line for both sides, Tom Mohan opted for two changes to the side frustratingly held three days ago. Darius Lipsuic came back in for James McManus, whilst Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh replaced Franco Umeh in a more solid looking midfield. 

In the third of their three games in a hectic week, Ireland faced off against group favourites in an evenly fought battle throughout. It was the Belgians who had the first shot in anger after just three minutes when Ajax attacker Mika Godts tested man-of-the-match Andrew Wogan, but the Drogheda United man saved well.

Ardee native Wogan was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers in the opening exchanges as the classy Belgians forced corner after corner, but facing a brave green wall who didn’t give an inch.

The deadly attacking duo of Godts and Matias Fernandez-Pardo caused problems for the Irish rear-guard with the latter testing the impressive Wogan again with 20 minutes gone.

Ireland grew into the game from then on, looking for the physical presence and clever movement of Mark O’Mahony to try to hold up the play and bring his side further up the pitch and the Cork native narrowly missed the target moments later.

In a more open game now, the Irish side finished the half strong. O’Mahony missed with a free-kick before the imposing Romeo Akachukwu had a good chance just before the break.

The talented Irish young guns went in at the break not only 0-0, but with Slovenia’s game against Albania the same scoreline, it meant Ireland had top spot, albeit temporarily.

But disaster struck as Ireland were caught cold just after the break. Belgium coach Wesley Sonck was the first to blink, making a double substitution that paid off immediately. One of which, Stanis Idumbo Muzambo, was straight into the action setting up Anderlecht midfielder Tristan De Greef to open the scoring.

Despite the setback, the brave Boys in Green fought back valiantly and began to look more dangerous and carrying a threat from their own set-pieces.

St. Patrick’s Athletic star Mason Melia was introduced with 20 minutes remaining, in a bid to haul themselves level, and worked extremely hard for the cause. Desperately trying to force an equaliser, the Belgians cleverly slowed any Irish momentum with some smart fouling as the Irish grew frustrated, meeting a resolute defence at every turn.

But with the quality of the opposition on display, the threat of a counter remained. Substitute Frederic Soelle Soelle and Fernandez-Pardo both missing chances to put the game to bed.

Right on the final whistle Shelbourne’s Lewis Temple went agonizingly close to an equaliser as time just got the better of Tom Mohan’s charges who unfortunately found themselves third in Group 13, missing out on U19 European Championship by one point as a result of Slovenia’s narrow 1-0 win over Albania.

Belgium: Mike Penders; Lucas Noubi Ngnokam, Josue Kongolo (Madi Nisosemo 90+1), Arthur Piedfort; Tristan De Greef, Lars Montegnies, Ayanda Sishuba (Kobe Corbanie 85), Axl Van Himbeeck (Stanis Idumbo Muzambo 46), Joaquin Seys (Renzo Tytens 46); Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Mika Godts (Frederic Soelle Soelle 64).

Ireland: Andrew Wogan; Freddie Turley (Senan Mullen 85), Lewis Temple, Luke Browne, Cory O’Sullivan; Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Mason Melia 69), Romeo Akachukwu, Darius Lipsuic; Naj Razi (Franco Umeh 57), Rocco Vata (Trent Kone-Doherty 85), Mark O’Mahony.

Referee: Egnatia Rrogozhine (Albania).