Ireland Men’s Under-19s went down 1-0 to Kazakhstan in their opening U19 EURO Qualifiers in the Netherlands.

Azamat Tuyakbayev’s volley 10 minutes into the second half condemned the Boys in Green to defeat.

Ireland had most of the chances against their opponents with Harry McGlinchey, Aaron Ochoa Moloney, Aji Oluwabiyi, James Roche and Zak O’Sullivan all having attempts on the Kazakhstan goal in the first half.

They continued to push for a goal but their opponents would take the lead against the run of play.

A cross played into the Ireland area could only be headed to the edge of the area and captain Tuyakbayev’s volley struck the underside of the bar as it went into the back of the net. Tuyakbayev, who plays in the Champions League with Kairat Almaty, playing a vital role for his team.

Marcus Gill was called into action twice in the five minutes after the goal as Ireland reacted to going a goal behind.

But they regrouped and in the 90^th minute were handed a lifeline when Kazakhstan went down to 10 men.

Ireland pushed for the late equaliser with Mohammad Oladiti forcing a late save from Sherhan Kalmurza but they held on to secure the win.

Next up Tom Mohan’s side is Cyprus on Saturday.

Ireland: Gill, Roche (C), Egan, Otegbayo, Cailloce, Quinn, (Mulligan, 64’),  Oladiti, Ochoa-Moloney (Lynskey, 73’), Oluwabiyi (Brennan, 86’), O’Sullivan (Simunyu (64’), McGlinchey (Murray, 64’).

Kazakhstan: Kalmurza, Kalikulov, Sagyn, Bazarbayev, Tashpulatov, Petrik (Makhametzhan, 46’), Akylbayev, Abish (Nazarov, 86’), Tuyakbayev (C), Birkurmanov (Nurgali, 64’), Bekbolat (Zhexenblek, 90’)

UEFA European Under-19 Championship Qualifiers/Result

Wednesday, November 12 | Ireland 0-1 Kazakhstan
Saturday, November 15 |  Ireland vs Cyprus, Sportpark Vondersweijde, Oldenzaal, Netherlands, KO 12pm*
Tuesday, November 18 | The Netherlands vs Ireland, Sportpark Vondersweijde, Oldenzaal, Netherlands, KO 6pm*

*Kick-offs are Irish time