Republic of Ireland 3 - 1 Azerbaijan | 2019 - UEFA Under-19 Championship | 2026303

UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round | Kuban Stadium, Krasnador

23 March 2019 - 09:00 (12:00 local time)

Republic of Ireland 3 - 1 Azerbaijan

Wright(41) Knight(63) Afolabi(85) full-time Guliyev(73)

Report
Preview
Lineups
Minute by Minute Commentary
Statistics
Gallery

Ireland U19: Second-half goals help defeat Azerbaijan

Republic of Ireland Under-19s made it two wins from two in the UEFA European Under-19 Championships Elite Round after a 3-1 win over Azerbaijan in Krasnodar, Russia.

23rd Mar 2019

Goals from Tyreik Wright, Jason Knight (pictured above) and captain Jonathan Afolabi proved enough for Tom Mohan’s side, as the team moved one step closer to this July’s Finals Tournament in Armenia.

Wright gave Ireland the lead just before the break. His initial header from a corner was blocked, but Wright slotted home the rebound to give Ireland the lead.

Mohan’s side had the chance to double the lead after the break, but Will Smallbone’s penalty hit the crossbar. Ireland did though double their lead on the hour mark, when Knight’s shot beat Azerbaijani goalkeeper Nijat Mehbaliyev.

Azerbaijan pulled a goal back with 20-minutes left when Kamran Guliyev scored from close range, after Brian Maher saved Turan Valizada's penalty.

The three points were assured in the final five-minutes when Afolabi took advantage of some slack defending to cooly slot the ball home.

Speaking after the match, Head Coach Mohan was impressed with his side’s grit throughout the game.

“It was a different game to the win against Romania. Azerbaijan were very difficult to break down. We have seven Under-18s and one Under-17 player in the squad today. For such young players, they showed great composure”, Mohan said.

“Russia are our next opponents. The focus is now on them getting recovered and re-energised. It was a tough, hard, bruising encounter today. The lads showed a lot of character.”

Ireland conclude their campaign on Tuesday afternoon against Russia, knowing a draw may be enough to qualify for Armenia in July.

Republic of Ireland: Brian Maher; Andy Lyons, Oisin McEntee, Jack James (Mark McGuinness 90+1), Kameron Ledwidge; Luca Connell (Niall Morahan 90+3), Will Smallbone (Conor Grant 90+1), Jason Knight; Tyreik Wright (Ali Reghba 79), Jonathan Afolabi, Will Ferry (Festy Ebosele 90+3)

Azerbaijan: Nijat Mehbaliyev; Rauf Huseynli (90+2), Ibragim Huseinov, Elnur Ibragimov, Vusal Masimov; Tural Bayramov (Musa Gurbanli 66), Turan Valizada, Shakir Seyidov, Kamran Guliyev (Murad Mahmudov 78); Serhat Tasdemir (Rustam Nuruyev 66); Emil Gasimov (Elvin Jafarguliyev 46)

Republic of Ireland Under-19 Squad
Goalkeepers: Brian Maher (St Patrick's Athletic), George McMahon (Burnley)
Defenders: Andy Lyons (Bohemians), Tom Gaston (Bordeaux), Mark McGuinness (Arsenal), Oisin McEntee (Newcastle United), Jack James (Luton Town), Kameron Ledwidge (Southampton)
Midfielders: Niall Morahan (Sligo Rovers), Aaron Bolger (Shamrock Rovers), Jason Knight (Derby County), Luca Connell (Bolton Wanderers), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Conor Grant (Sheffield Wednesday), Richie O'Farrell (UCD)
Forwards: Ali Reghba (Bohemians), Will Ferry (Southampton), Festy Ebosele (Derby County), Tyriek Wright (Aston Villa), Jonathan Afolabi (Southampton)

2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship - Elite Round Qualifiers
March 20: Republic of Ireland 5-0 Romania
March 23: Republic of Ireland 3-1 Azerbaijan
March 26: Republic of Ireland v Russia, FC Krasnodar Academy Stadium, KO 17:00 (14:00 Irish Time)

Ireland U19: Mohan's side set for Azerbaijani exam

The Republic of Ireland Under-19s go into Saturday's UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round match against Azerbaijan knowing that a win could put them in a strong position to qualify for this year's Finals Tournament.

22nd Mar 2019

Tom Mohan's side recorded a fantastic 5-0 win over Romania on Wednesday, and the Head Coach saw Azerbaijan earn a scoreless draw with Russia later that day.

There is a clean bill of health in the camp, with only captain Aaron Bolger set to miss the game through suspension, after picking up a yellow card in Wednesday's win.

Speaking from Krasnodar in Russia, Mohan said he had learned a lot from Azerbaijan's draw.

"Any team in the Elite Round are going to be high-quality opponents. They were very well organised, and have a number of quality attacking players. They will be difficult opponents tomorrow.

A win over Azerbaijan will leave Ireland in a very strong position to qualify for the Finals in Armenia this summer, but Mohan wants the team to be focused on the next task in front of them instead of looking too far ahead.

"When you come to the Elite Phase, the most important thing is to leave the team with a chance to qualify going into the final game. We can't look too far ahead, and can only focus on tomorrow's game.

"The players' attitudes have been excellent this week. They've prepared well for tomorrow."

2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship - Elite Round Qualifiers
March 20: Republic of Ireland 5-0 Romania
March 23: Republic of Ireland v Azerbaijan, Kuban Stadium, Krasnodar, KO 12:00 (9:00 Irish Time)
March 26: Republic of Ireland v Russia, FC Krasnodar Academy Stadium, KO 17:00 (14:00 Irish Time)

Tactical Lineups

Republic of Ireland

Substitutes

Coach

Tom Mohan

Azerbaijan

Substitutes

12 Nail Alishov (G)
22 Rustam Samigullin (G)
2 Rustam Nuruyev
6 Idris Ingilabli
9 Murad Mahmudov
11 Elvin Jafarguliyev
14 Zahid Mardanov
21 Zamig Aliyev
23 Musa Gurbanli

Coach

Vugar Mammad

Officials

Referee Ádám Farkas
Assistant Referees Balázs Szert
UEFA Delegate Lukasz Wachowski
Assistant Referee Two Egor Bolkhovitin
Fourth Official Nikolai Voloshin
Referee Observer Emil Bozinovski

Minute by Minute Commentary

1" The match is under way.
3" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
3" Nijat Mehbaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
3" Tyreik Wright (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Nijat Mehbaliyev (Azerbaijan).
3" Tyreik Wright (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
6" Tural Bayramov (Azerbaijan) takes the corner.
10" Kamran Guliyev (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Kameron Ledwidge (Republic of Ireland).
13" Tyreik Wright (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Vusal Masimov (Azerbaijan).
16" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
16" William Ferry (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
17" Oisin McEntee (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
17" Nijat Mehbaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
17" William Ferry (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
18" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
18" Nijat Mehbaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
19" Serhat Tasdemir (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Kameron Ledwidge (Republic of Ireland).
24" Rauf Hüseynli (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on William Ferry (Republic of Ireland).
24" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
26" Emil Gasimov (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Andrew Lyons (Republic of Ireland).
26" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
27" William Ferry (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
28" Kameron Ledwidge (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Kamran Guliyev (Azerbaijan).
29" Tural Bayramov (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
35" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
36" Oisin McEntee (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Serhat Tasdemir (Azerbaijan).
37" Tural Bayramov (Azerbaijan) takes the corner.
37" Kamran Guliyev (Azerbaijan) misses the target.
40" Shakir Seyidov (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland).
41" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
41" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
41" Nijat Mehbaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
41" William Ferry (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
41" Tyreik Wright (Republic of Ireland) scores!
43" William Ferry (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Shakir Seyidov (Azerbaijan).
45" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
45" Kameron Ledwidge (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Kamran Guliyev (Azerbaijan).
The referee blows for half-time.
46" The second half begins.
46" Elvin Jafarguliyev (in) - Emil Gasimov (out) (@@teamID)
48" Rauf Hüseynli (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on William Ferry (Republic of Ireland).
48" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
50" Elnur Ibragimov (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on William Ferry (Republic of Ireland).
50" Elnur Ibragimov (Azerbaijan) is cautioned by the referee.
51" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) hits the post from the penalty spot.
52" Kamran Guliyev (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Oisin McEntee (Republic of Ireland).
52" Brian Maher (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
53" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
53" Nijat Mehbaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
53" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Serhat Tasdemir (Azerbaijan).
54" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
55" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Nijat Mehbaliyev (Azerbaijan).
55" Oisin McEntee (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Kamran Guliyev (Azerbaijan).
55" Turan Valizada (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
57" Luca Connell (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
57" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
57" Nijat Mehbaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
57" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
58" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
59" Elvin Jafarguliyev (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Luca Connell (Republic of Ireland).
59" Elvin Jafarguliyev (Azerbaijan) is dismissed.
60" Brian Maher (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
61" Turan Valizada (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Luca Connell (Republic of Ireland).
61" Kameron Ledwidge (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
63" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) scores!
64" Luca Connell (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Serhat Tasdemir (Azerbaijan).
64" Luca Connell (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
65" Tural Bayramov (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
65" Rauf Hüseynli (Azerbaijan) is flagged for offside.
66" Musa Gurbanli (in) - Serhat Tasdemir (out) (@@teamID)
66" Rustam Nuruyev (in) - Tural Bayramov (out) (@@teamID)
69" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
69" Kamran Guliyev (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Andrew Lyons (Republic of Ireland).
71" William Ferry (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
72" Brian Maher (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Shakir Seyidov (Azerbaijan).
73" Turan Valizada (Azerbaijan) hits the post from the penalty spot.
73" Kamran Guliyev (Azerbaijan) scores!
73" Turan Valizada (Azerbaijan) assists.
74" Rustam Nuruyev (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Luca Connell (Republic of Ireland).
74" William Smallbone (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
75" Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
77" Rustam Nuruyev (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland).
78" Murad Mahmudov (in) - Kamran Guliyev (out) (@@teamID)
79" Ali Reghba (in) - Tyreik Wright (out) (@@teamID)
79" William Ferry (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
79" Oisin McEntee (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
79" Nijat Mehbaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
80" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
82" Rauf Hüseynli (Azerbaijan) is penalised for a foul on William Ferry (Republic of Ireland).
82" Rauf Hüseynli (Azerbaijan) is cautioned by the referee.
83" Luca Connell (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Turan Valizada (Azerbaijan).
83" Shakir Seyidov (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
85" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) scores!
86" Ali Reghba (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
86" Nijat Mehbaliyev (Azerbaijan) blocks a shot.
87" Rauf Hüseynli (Azerbaijan) is flagged for offside.
88" Jack James (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Rauf Hüseynli (Azerbaijan).
89" Vusal Masimov (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
90" Jonathan Afolabi (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Ibragim Huseinov (Azerbaijan).
90+1" Conor Grant (in) - William Smallbone (out) (@@teamID)
90+1" Mark McGuinness (in) - Jack James (out) (@@teamID)
90+1" Ibragim Huseinov (Azerbaijan) takes the free-kick.
90+2" Kameron Ledwidge (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
90+2" Idris Ingilabli (in) - Rauf Hüseynli (out) (@@teamID)
90+3" Niall Morahan (in) - Luca Connell (out) (@@teamID)
90+3" Festy Ebosele (in) - William Ferry (out) (@@teamID)
The final whistle is blown.