
Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 Kosovo

Ireland U19: Attacking trio score in Kosovo win

Two goals inside the first 15-minutes from Michael Obafemi and Lee O'Connor gave Tom Mohan's side the perfect start, before Rowan Roache scored the third early in the second-half.
Mohan made five changes to the team that drew with Slovakia and the changes had an immediate impact with Obafemi scoring smartly inside the first five minutes.
O'Connor scored in the 13th-minute, lifting the ball over Kosovo goalkeeper Flamur Gashi to give Ireland a two-goal lead.
Roache put the game out of sight, nine minutes into the second-half, after he scored from close range from an Obafemi cross.
The team return to action on Tuesday evening against Portugal knowing a win could be enough to send them through to the 2018 UEFA Under-19 European Championship later this year.
Republic of Ireland: Mark Travers; Daniel McKenna (Aaron Connolly 70), Jordan Doherty (Callum Nicell 85), Dara O’Shea (capt), Tyreke Wilson; Stephen Mallon (Rian O'Sullivan 76), James Finnerty, Thomas O’Connor; Lee O’Connor, Michael Obafemi, Rowan Roache
Kosovo: Flamur Gashi; Çlirim Reqica, Abit Salihu, Ismajl Beka, Loti Celina; Adrijan Behrami (Rrahim Nimani 63), Edison Kqiku; Ismet Sinani, Gentrit Limani, Lirim Kastrati (Liridon Balaj 89); Leutrim Kryeziu (capt)
Referee: Anastasios Papapetrou (GRE)
Ireland U19: Mohan preparing for "two cup finals"

Ireland drew 1-1 against Slovakia on Wednesday afternoon, and face Kosovo on Saturday knowing a win is needed to keep hopes of reaching 2018 UEFA Under-19 Championship in Finland alive.
Kosovo lost 5-0 to Portugal on Wednesday, and Mohan says the scoreline wasn't reflective of the game.
"They conceded two of the goals in injury time. They are a well-organised side, and have quality players in attack that can hurt us."
With Slovakia playing Portugal on Saturday afternoon, Mohan knows a positive result against Kosovo can put pressure on both sides.
"At the moment we are only focusing on the Kosovo game, but we know the importance of a positive result."
Mohan has reported a clean bill of health in his squad ahead of the match, but will have to make one enforced change from Wednesday's starting lineup.
Jonathan Afolabi is unavailable for the game. The striker picked up a yellow card against Slovakia and will miss the game through suspension.
2018 UEFA Under-19 Championship Elite Round
Republic of Ireland v Kosovo, Estádio dos Arcos, Vila do Conde, 3pm (3pm Irish time)
Tactical Lineups
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
Coach
Tom Mohan
Kosovo
Substitutes
- 12 Ardrit Miftari (G)
- 6 Arlind Ademi
- 8 Dardan Dakaj
- 14 Liridon Balaj
- 15 Rilind Nimani
- 16 Rrahim Nimani
- 17 Alban Shabani
Coach
Ramiz Krasniqi
Officials
- Referee Anastasios Papapetrou
- Assistant Referees Vasilios Kampouris
- UEFA Delegate Manuel Mejuto González
- Assistant Referee Two Alvaro Mesquita
- Fourth Official Rui Filipe Oliveira
- Referee Observer Manuel Mejuto González
Match Statistics
- Republic of Ireland
- Kosovo
Minute by Minute Commentary