
Republic of Ireland 0 - 4 Portugal

Ireland U19: Portugal prove too strong in Elite Round finale

Two goals either side of half-time saw Portugal book their place in Finland later this year, as the team look to add to the UEFA Under-17 European Championship they won two years ago.
Portugal took the lead after ten minutes, as Gedson Fernandes saw his deflected shot beat goalkeeper Mark Travers. Captain Diogo Queirós doubled Portugal's lead just before half-time heading home an attacking free-kick.
Ireland played the last 30-minutes with ten men after Aaron Connolly was sent off for two bookable offences and Portugal took advantage with two further goals.
Substitute Pedro Correia saw his shot find the bottom left corner of the net with 20-minutes to go, before Fernandes scored a fourth from the penalty spot to ensure qualification.
Under-19 Head Coach Tom Mohan was disappointed after the game, but praised Portugal, and wished them well in the Finals.
"We were beaten by the better team, and a top class opponent. They won the Under-17 title two years ago and have a brilliant chance to win the Under-19 title this summer.
"The team had chances early on but weren't able to take them. Portugal's movement and slickness of passing was excellent. It's a disappointing result.
"It was a massive effort all week by the players and staff. It was a huge group effort by everyone and we're all disappointed."
Kosovo's 2-1 win over Slovakia in Group 5's other game, meant Ireland finished the Elite Round in second place.
Republic of Ireland: Mark Travers; Lee O’Connor, Dara O’Shea (capt), Canice Carroll, Tyreke Wilson (Rian O'Sullivan 39); Rowan Roache, Conor Coventry, Thomas O’Connor, Aaron Connolly; Kian Flanagan (Aaron Dobbs 86), Jonathan Afolabi (Michael Obafemi 72)
Portugal: Diogo Costa; Thierry Correia (João Oliveira 66), Diogo Queirós (capt) (Romain Correia 74), Diogo Leite, Rúben Vinagre; Quina, Florentino, Gedson Fernandes; Trincão Francisco, José Gomes (Pedro Correia 46), João Filipe
Referee: Kristo Tohver (EST)
Ireland U19: Mohan vows team will "do everything" to win

A win over Portugal in the final Elite Round game on Tuesday evening will be enough to qualify for the Finals for the first time since 2011.
"Realistically, we were looking at going into the last game, with qualification in our own hands. Portugal are a quality side, and we knew we would have to beat them to have a chance. It's great to be in this position.
"The boys handled the pressure excellently against Kosovo on Saturday. We scored three excellent goals which is great for confidence.
Portugal won the European Championships at Under-17 level two years ago, and Mohan knows his side are in for a tough test.
"They are a very expansive and high-quality side. We'll be prepared for their challenge and look forward to matching up with them."
"We'll do everything in our power to cap off a fabulous few days for Irish football. Our Under-17 men's team qualified, the Under-17 women's team won their first game of the Elite Round.
"The Under-21 and the Under-18 sides won in recent days too. Declan Rice was man-of-the-match for the Senior team. It's positives all round in the bigger picture of things in international youth football."
Jonathan Afolabi missed the Kosovo win through suspension, but is available for selection for the final game where Mohan expects to have a full squad to choose from.
2018 UEFA Under-19 Championship Elite Round
Republic of Ireland v Portugal, Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, Barcelos, 5pm (5pm Irish Time)
Tactical Lineups
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 16 Brian Maher (G)
- 2 Daniel McKenna
- 12 James Finnerty
- 13 Callum Nicell Galbraith
- 14 Rian O'Sullivan
- 15 Jordan Doherty
- 17 Stephen Mallon
- 18 Aaron Dobbs
- 19 Michael Obafemi
Coach
Tom Mohan
Portugal
Substitutes
- 12 Ricardo Silva (G)
- 2 João Oliveira
- 11 Mesaque Dju
- 13 Romain Correia
- 15 Francisco Moura
- 16 Miguel Luís
- 18 Afonso Brito
- 19 Pedro Correia
- 20 Nuno Santos
Coach
Hélio Sousa
Officials
- Referee Kristo Tohver
- Assistant Referees Aron Härsing
- UEFA Delegate Johny Vanspauwen
- Assistant Referee Two Vasilios Kampouris
- Fourth Official Anastasios Papapetrou
- Referee Observer Darko Čeferin
Match Statistics
- Republic of Ireland
- Portugal
Minute by Minute Commentary