Ireland Men’s Under-17s got off to the perfect start in the FIFA U17 World Cup after dispatching Panama 4-1 in Doha, Qatar.

Goals from Jaden Umeh, Kian McMahon-Brown, Michael Noonan and Max Kovalevskis secured the three points in Group J for Colin O’Brien’s young Boys in Green.

The result means they top the group before facing second placed Uzbekistan on Saturday who won their game against Paraguay 2-1.

Ireland started the stronger of the teams and were ahead in the 17^th minute when Umeh rose highest to head home a Rory Finneran corner.

Noonan almost made 2-0 just after the half-hour mark when his half volley crashed off the bar with the Panama goalkeeper beaten.

Three minutes later McMahon-Brown did make it 2-0 when he swept home from inside the area to give Ireland breathing room.

There was time before the half-time break for Noonan to force another chance his drilled effort flashed across the face of goal as he pushed for a goal.

It would be 13 minutes in the second half that Noonan would finally get his goal. He met a superb Ade Solanke cross to nod pass Aparacio for 3-0.

And two minutes later his Shamrock Rovers’ teammate Max Kovalevskis made it four. He rode two challenges in the box before composing himself to finish into an empty net.

Panama were awarded a penalty in the 65^th minute but the Ireland bench challenged the referee’s decision and under the new Video Support System, it was reviewed, the decision was reversed and a corner kick was given.

Panamanians did find the net late on when Moises Richards produced a smart finish into the far corner.

Ireland are back in action against Uzbekistan on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3.45pm).

Panama: Aparacio, Ramos, Pacheco, Stewart (Reyes, 85’), Brias (C), Aranda (Olivarda, 46’), Lopez, Gordan (Salinas, 73’), Insturain, Tovares (James, 46’), Richards.

Ireland: A. Noonan, Butler, McDonagh, Leonard, Solanke (Spáight, 78’), Finneran (C), Martos (McAteer, 78’) McMahon-Brown (McDonnell, 63’), Kovalevskis (Ozhianvuna, 63’), Umeh (Lee, 86’), M. Noonan

Republic of Ireland FIFA Under-17 World Cup Result/Fixtures/Schedule

Wednesday, November 5 | Panama 1-4 Ireland
Saturday, November 8 | Ireland vs Uzbekistan, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 3.45pm*
Tuesday, November 11 | Ireland vs Paraguay, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 1.30pm*
Friday, November 14 | Round of 32
Tuesday, November 18 | Round of 16
Friday, November 21 | Quarter-Final
Monday, November 24 | Semi-Final
Thursday, November 27 | Final