Russia 2 - 2 Republic of Ireland | 2015 - Under-21 Friendlies | 999941232

Under-21 Mens Friendlies U21 International Friendly | Marbella Football Center, Marbella, Spain

Monday, November 17, 2014

Russia 2 - 2 Republic of Ireland

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Ireland U21s draw with Russia in Marbella

THE Republic of Ireland U21 side drew 2-2 with Russia in a friendly international at Marbella Sports Center in Spain today.

17th Nov 2014

Russia 2-2 Ireland

THE Republic of Ireland U21 side drew 2-2 with Russia in a friendly international at Marbella Sports Center in Spain today.

Ireland broke the deadlock after just five minutes when Brighton midfielder Glen Rea found the Russian net after connecting with a Dylan Connolly cross. The Russian keeper saved Rea’s first effort but Rea turned the loose ball home.

Russia had Dmitri Efremov dismissed in the 26th minute and the Irish then added a second goal two minutes into the second half when Shelbourne winger Dylan Connolly fired home brilliantly after a dynamic run down the right.

Alexander Morgunov pulled one back for the Russians with an effort that deflected off Tommy Hoban in the 65th minute.

Ramil Sheydaev levelled matters in the 77th minute with a brilliant finish after cutting in from the right.

“We did well. We made six changes and the players who came in did well. Dylan Connolly did great, Glen Rea scored on his second cap and there were lots of good performances,” said head coach Noel King.

“I was very happy with the chances we created. We had chances to finish them off and obviously they got back into the game but overall I’m very pleased with the whole trip. I feel we’ve learned and we’ll be a stronger team for this experience.”

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Rogers (Grimes 46), Connors, Hoban (c), Lenihan (Hoare 73), Griffin, McEvoy, Connolly (Hayhurst 81), Desmond (O’Connell 85), Hamilton, Rea, Browne (Sadlier 76).

RESULTS

Saturday, November 15

USA 1-0 Republic of Ireland, Estadio San Pedro, Marbella

Monday, November 17

Russia 2-2 Republic of Ireland, Marbella Football Center, Marbella

Ireland U21s set for Russia challenge in Marbella

THE Republic of Ireland U21s will face Russia in the second friendly game of their training week in Marbella tomorrow (5.00pm) with head coach Noel King looking for another positive display from his side.

16th Nov 2014

King’s troops went down to an unfortunate 1-0 loss to the USA yesterday and having watched the Russians lose 4-3 to the Americans on Wednesday, King expects another decent challenge for his side.

“We’ll make another six changes so that we get a good look at people. If we get as much from this as we did from yesterday’s game I’ll be delighted,” said King.

“I thought Russia were a technically better side than the US but unfortunately for them they gave away two penalties which cost them the game.

“They have a different style to their game than how the US play so I’m looking forward to seeing how our players deal with that.”

King’s side had a light training session today after yesterday’s exertions and the Irish boss reflected on the loss to the Americans in a positive mind-set.

“If you don’t finish changes you’d be concerned but that was basically it. I was looking at all the positive from yesterday and I felt it was a positive performances from the group,” he added.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U21 SQUAD:

Danny Rogers (Aberdeen - on loan at Dumbarton)

Eric Grimes (Leeds United)

Sean Long (Reading)

Shane Griffin (Reading)

Pierce Sweeney (Reading)

Thomas Hoban (Watford)

Brain Lenihan (Hull City – on-loan at Blackpool FC)

Mason Watkins-Clark (Stoke City)

Eoghan O’Connell (Celtic)

Jack Connors (Dagenham & Redbridge)

Glen Rea (Brighton & Hove Albion)