Republic of Ireland
Greece
Gibraltar
Netherlands 2
France 2
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Republic of Ireland 1 - 2 Iceland
Under-21 | Late Iceland goal sinks Ireland
Valdimar Ingimundarson’s goal deep into stoppage time won it for the Icelandics who leap frog Ireland into the important second place in Group 1.
Ireland were reduced to 10 men late on when Nathan Collins saw red for an alleged off-the-ball incident.
But just minutes earlier they had come from behind when Joshua Kayode’s deflected effort was turned in for an own goal.
Jim Crawford was forced into a late change before the game with Gavin Bazunu ruled out through injury and replaced by Ed McGinty who started in goal - his first apperance at Under-21s level. Bray Wanderers’ Brian Maher was called into the squad as a replacement.
Ireland had the ball in the net early on through Anthony Scully but the striker just strayed offside.
In tricky conditions the visitors looked to take advantage of their height with a couple of early crosses testing McGinty.
Ireland grew into the game with Ronan and Coventry dictating the play in midfield and Obafemi and Scully looking a threat to the Iceland backline.
But it was Iceland who took the lead in the 25th minute. A ball played down the left channel saw Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen get in on goal and loft the ball over McGinty.
Ireland responded well and took the game to Iceland. Liam Scales got beyond the full back and deliver a floating cross that just evaded Scully at the back post.
Just before half time Lee O’Connor delivered a fantastic cross that was met by =Jack Taylor but he couldn’t generate enough power to force the keeper into action. Then Obafemi tricked his way into the box and set it up for Elbouzedi but the Lincoln man’s effort was well saved.
At half-time Troy Parrott was introduced in replace of Scully as Crawford’s side showed attacking intent.
Iceland had a great chance on 62 minutes to double their lead but McGinty produced an excellent block to keep them at bay.
Obafemi also went close when he was found by O’Connor but his sharp shot hit the side netting.
In the 76th minute Ireland got the breakthrough. Another cross by Lee O’Connor caused danger, substitute Koyade got a toe onto the ball and it was deflect in past P.S Gunnarsson for an own goal.
As Ireland pushed on their task was made more difficult when Collins saw red. Then deep into stoppage time Ingimundarson managed to get onto a cross to give the visitors the win at the death.
Republic of Ireland: McGinty; L.O’Connor, Masterson (C), Collins, Scales; Coventry (O’Connor, 83), Taylor, Ronan (Mandoiru 74), Scully (Parrott, 46), Elbouzedi (Grant, 83), Obafemi (Odaye, 74).
Iceland: P.S.Gunnarsson, Sampsted, Þorkelsson, Leifsson, Gunnarsson; Hauksson, Baldursson (Johannesson, 60), W.T. Willumsson (Helgason, 61), Finsson (B.A. Willumsson, 72), Gudhohnsen (Ingimundarson, 73), Þorsteinsson (C)
Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP)
Match Preview | Ireland U21 vs Iceland U21
Ireland require three points against the Icelandics - who currently sit one point behind the Boys in Green - and a win against Luxembourg on Wednesday to guarantee they’re among the five best runners-up who qualify for the tournament.
Jim Crawford’s side have already tasted defeat in the group against Sunday’s opponents – a 1-0 loss in October 2019 – but they will be looking for a reversal of fortune this time to put them on track to become the first Irish side to qualify for the European Under-21 Championships.
Fixture | Republic of Ireland U21 vs Iceland U21
Date | Sunday, November 15
Kick-Off | 12.30pm
Location | Tallaght Stadium
Where to watch | eirSport (coverage starts at 12.15pm)
WHAT THE MANAGER SAID
Ireland Under-21 Manager Jim Crawford: “It’s going to be a big task for the boys but something we’re looking forward to. I’ve every confidence in them to produce a performance that will get us the three points.
“We’re well prepared and the players have trained hard and they understand what is expected of them on Sunday and the real threats that Iceland pose.”
WHAT THE SKIPPER SAID
reland Under-21 Captain Conor Masterson: “It’s an honour for all of us to play for Ireland. We want to go out there and show what we can do, the talent we have in this squad and that the future of Irish football is in good hands.”
TEAM NEWS
Jim Crawford is boosted with the inclusion of three senior internationals for the Group 1 double-header against Iceland and Luxembourg.
Lee O’Connor, Michael Obafemi and Troy Parrott are all included but Jason Knight, who had been part of the original 24-man squad, was a late call-up to Stephen Kenny’s senior squad for their UEFA Nations League games with Wales and Bulgaria.
Ireland Under-19 international Mark McGuinness is involved with the Under-21s for the first time, and joins the uncapped group of Ed McGinty, Anthony Scully and Joshua Kayode.
Accrington Stanley striker Ryan Cassidy replaced Dundee’s Jonathan Afolabi after he sustained an injury.
Celtic’s Luca Connell didn’t recover from injury in time to be considered for the Iceland and Luxembourg games meaning St. Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Jamie Lennon got the call into the squad.
Republic of Ireland Under-21 Squad
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Ed McGinty (Sligo Rovers)
Defenders: Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Darragh Leahy (Dundalk), Conor Masterson (Queens Park Rangers), Mark McGuinness (Ipswich Town, on loan from Arsenal), Danny McNamara (St Johnstone, on loan from Millwall), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Thomas O’Connor (Gillingham, on loan from Southampton), Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Will Ferry (Southampton), Jamie Lennon (St.Patrick’s Ahtletic), Danny Mandroiu (Bohemians), Connor Ronan (Grasshopper Zurich, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Anthony Scully (Lincoln City), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United)
Forwards: Ryan Cassidy (Accrington Stanley, on loan from Watford), Zack Elbouzedi (Lincoln City), Danny Grant (Bohemians), Joshua Kayode (Carlisle United, on loan from Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Troy Parrott (Millwall, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
Tactical Lineups
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
Coach
James Crawford
Iceland
Substitutes
- 1 Elias Rafn Ólafsson (G)
- 3 Valgeir Fridriksson
- 5 Ísak Ólafsson
- 10 Ísak Bergmann Johannesson
- 14 Brynjolfur Andersen Willumsson
- 15 Valdimar Thór Ingimundarson
- 19 Bjarki Steinn Bjarkason
- 21 Thórir Jóhann Helgason
- 22 Kolbeinn Thórdarson
Coach
Arnar Thór Vidarsson
Officials
- Referee Juan Martínez Munuera
- Assistant Referees Diego Barbero
- UEFA Delegate Jan Korinek
- Assistant Referee Two Miguel Martínez
- Fourth Official Guillermo Cuadra
- Referee Observer John Ferry
Match Statistics
- Republic of Ireland
- Iceland
Minute by Minute Commentary