There was no disguising the disappointment of Irish boss Sean McCaffrey after Monday night's 1-0 defeat by England in the UEFA Under 19 qualifier at Tolka Park on an evening of total frustration that leaves the Republic a mountain to climb if they are to reach the finals in Liechtenstein in July.
"We dominated throughout, played England off the pitch and definitely had the more skilful players. But now we have to hope that England slip up in their remaining games against Slovenia and Switzerland. We have to hope that at least one of those two teams can do us a favour with only one team going through from this four team Group to the finals,"
said McCaffrey.
"I honestly believe that Ireland are good enough to beat either Switzerland or Slovenia - but it is now out of our own hands because we didn't take the chances that came our way against the English."
There are certain to be changes for Wednesday night's game against Switzerland at Richmond Park with Arsenal's Stephen Bradley and skipper Glenn Whelan (Manchester City) almost certainly ruled out by injuries.
Zlatko Dedic scored twice as Slovenia came from behind to open this UEFA Under-19 qualifying tournament with a surprise 2-1 victory over highly-fancied Switzerland at Belfield Park earlier in the day.
The Swiss, with two of their UEFA Under-17 champions from last season in their starting line-up, swept into the lead with a wonderful goal after just three minutes.
Juventus-based schemer Caryl Clemente ghosted forward from inside his own half to pick out Carmine Pascariello who swerved left and hit an unstoppable left-footer from 20 yards into the corner of Samir Handanovic's net.
The slick-passing Swiss almost scored again two minutes later but Stefan Kohler's shot took a deflection and went out for a corner after shaving the crossbar.
Whilst poor at the back, the Slovenians were excellent up front and they levelled with a superb solo goal from striker Zlatko Dedic, who drilled a low shot in off the post following a solo run, on 35 minutes.
Back in the game now, Slovenia should then have taken the lead two minutes later but Johnny Leon made a good stop with his feet from Dejan Robnik.
The Swiss had another let-off a minute before half time when Miso Brecko's long ball caught them out and Leon again had to make another good save at the feet of Dedic.
In a second half of few chances, Dedi proved the difference with what proved the winning goal 75 minutes. Again the Parma-based striker did it all himself, collecting the ball 40 yards out to run on and hit a low shot from 30 yards that bounced under the despairing dive of Leon.
Switzerland: Leon; Tranquillo, Gandolfo, Maric, Buhler, Righetti,Clemente, Kohler, Marazzi ; Tsimba, Pascariello.
Subs.- Margairaz for Marazzi (59 mins.), Getaz for Buhler
(68 mins.), Antic for Pascariello (82 mins.).
Slovenia: Handanovic; Brecko, Kelhar, Sedastion, Hadzic,
Jesenicnik;Sehic, Bosic, Komljenovic; Robnik, Dedic.
Subs. - Sabic for Hadzic (71 mins.), Stevanovic for
Bosic (85 mins.). |