Republic of Ireland 1
New Zealand 1
Netherlands 1
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Iceland 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland
REPORT: Iceland 1-0 Ireland - Unbeaten run ends
Lee O'Connor was sent off late on for a second bookable offence whilst captain Jayson Molumby picked up a yellow card with both players set to be suspended for the Armenia qualifier in November.
Ireland dominated much of the game and fashioned a number of chances, but couldn't find the break-through. Bohemians' Dan Mandroiu had two 20-yard free-kicks during the first-half, but both went narrowly over the bar.
Kameron Ledwidge made his first start for the U-21s and turned in an impressive performance as his cross found Mandroiu and Michael Obafemi picked the ball up, but his shot was blocked by the keeper in the 22nd minute.
Six minutes later, Iceland were awarded a penalty as Lee O'Connor was harshly deemed to have handled the ball and Gudjohnsen fired home to the give the home side the lead.
Just before the break, Ireland had their best chance of the game as the skipper Molumby won the ball high up the pitch and after he found Adam Idah, Obafemi collected the ball in space but his shot was well saved.
A minute later, Zach Elbouzedi burst down the left and crossed for Idah but his flicked header went narrowly over the bar. The second-half continued to see Ireland push Iceland back as Mandroiu found space on the right and fired across a low ball, looking for Elbouzedi, but the keeper blocked the ball and cleared in the 56th minute.
Ireland fashioned another chance just four minutes later as Molumby's fantastic through-ball found the on-rushing Idah but he fired wide from a tight angle. Iceland, to their credit, defended stoutly as Stephen Kenny brought on Aaron Drinan and Gavin Kilkenny in the final stages and the latter almost found the break-through with eight minutes to go.
Elbouzedi's cross found Kilkenny in space on the left and after he turned inside, his curling effort was well saved. It was Ireland's first defeat of the campaign with games against Armenia and Sweden to come in November.
"We're extremely disappointed with the result. Looking back, the penalty looks extremely harsh and after that, Iceland made it very difficult for us," said U-21 manager Stephen Kenny.
"We had a number of great chances but couldn't find the goal we needed and we've got to pick ourselves up from it. The conditions were very difficult for the players and Iceland defended very well."
Iceland: Gunnarsson (GK), Sampsted, Olafsson (Palmason 80), Hauksson, Pordarson (Hafsteinsson 77), Porsteinsson (C) (Willumsson 90), H. Gunnarsson, Gudjohnson (Ingimundarson 77), Willumsson, Finnsson, Leifsson.
Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (GK), O'Connor, Ledwidge, Masterson, O'Shea, Coventry, Elbouzedi, Molumby (C), Idah, Mandroiu (Drinan 86), Obafemi (Kilkenny 75).
Referee: Dumitru Muntean (MDA)
Red Card(s): O'Connor
Ireland U-21: Kilkenny delighted to be part of unbeaten squad
Ireland are in Reykjavik to take on Iceland tomorrow, with kick-off at 4pm (3pm local time), as they look to go five games unbeaten in the qualification campaign.
Stephen Kenny's side secured an impressive point against Italy on Thursday with Ireland currently top of the group going into their fifth group tie.
Kilkenny, who made his U-21 debut in the 1-0 win over Armenia in September, believes the squad can continue their unbeaten run in Reykjavik tomorrow.
"It's going to be a difficult match, they're very physical but it is a great opportunity for us and we want to keep the run going," Kilkenny said.
"We've built up a lot of momentum during the campaign and the lads really look forward to every match. It's a great group to be a part of and I'm loving every minute of it.
"It's a really close group and I only just came into the squad in September and it's been great. We're really determined to keep it going as we thought we should have won against Italy on Thursday."
The 19-year old made his competitive debut for AFC Bournemouth this season, in the EFL Cup against Burton Albion, and also played in the 3-1 win over Sweden last month.
It has been an impressive year for the former St. Kevin's Boys and Kilkenny admitted he has 'grown up a bit' in the last 12 months.
"I wanted to grow up really. I'm 19 now and I wanted to start making an impact on men's football really so I knew I had to grow up a bit," continued the Dublin-man.
"It's great really as the club have really backed me and given me the opportunity to impress in pre-season and in the cup as well.
"I've made a lot of progress but I've not changed too much of what I do anyways. I'm just really enjoying my football at the moment and being part of this squad."
Tactical Lineups
Iceland
Substitutes
- 1 Elias Rafn Ólafsson (G)
- 3 Finnur Tómas Pálmason
- 7 Jonatan Ingi Jonsson
- 8 Daníel Hafsteinsson
- 14 Brynjolfur Andersen Willumsson
- 15 Valdimar Thór Ingimundarson
- 19 Guðmundur Andri Tryggvason
- 21 Thórir Jóhann Helgason
- 22 Kolbeinn Thórdarson
Coach
Arnar Thór Vidarsson
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 23 Gavin Bazunu (G)
- 11 Connor Ronan
- 12 Jason Knight
- 15 Nathan Collins
- 16 Jack Taylor
- 17 Gavin Kilkenny
- 18 Simon Power
- 19 Aaron Drinan
- 21 Liam Scales
Coach
Stephen Kenny
Officials
- Referee Dumitri Muntean
- Assistant Referees Vasili Ermischin
- UEFA Delegate Robert Barczi
- Assistant Referee Two Dumitru Ciobanu
- Fourth Official Veaceslav Banari
- Referee Observer Stefano Podeschi
Match Statistics
- Iceland
- Republic of Ireland
Minute by Minute Commentary