Wales suffer 3-0 loss against Republic of Ireland
FELCSÚT, HUNGARY - 20 MAY 2023: Wales' Dylan Lawlor prior to the 2023 UEFA Under-17 European Championship Group A fixture between Republic of Ireland & Wales at the Pancho Aréna, Felcsút, Hungry. (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
Wales’ search for a first U17 Euros win continues after they suffered a 3-0 loss against the Republic of Ireland at the Pancho Aréna.
Iwan Morgan saw a brilliant long-range shot tipped onto the post before Luke Armstrong denied Naj Razi from the spot, but the Irishman fired in the rebound to put Ireland ahead.
Two unanswered rockets from Ike Orazi and Romeo Akachukwu added to Ireland’s lead and put the game out of Cymru’s reach.
Wales almost got off to the perfect start when Iwan Morgan fired a long-range shot, which looked to be dipping into the net until Jason Healy brilliantly tipped the ball onto the post.
Freddie Issaka then went close as Cymru continued to search for their first-ever goal at the U17 European Championships.
As the first half progressed, Orazi’s influence on the game grew and the Irish winger was rewarded when he won a penalty on 21 minutes.
He twisted and cut in from the left before being cut down by Samuel Parker, leaving the referee no option but to point to the spot.
Razi stepped up and saw his effort saved by Armstrong, but the Welsh celebrations were quickly cut short as the referee’s assistant raised his flag.
The Shamrock Rovers attacker dusted himself off and stepped forward and saw his attempt denied by the Cymru keeper again, however, this time the rebound fell kindly to Razi and he turned the rebound past a helpless Armstrong.
The opening goal injected newfound energy into the Irish players and they soon doubled their lead through Orazi.
The 15-year-old received the ball on the edge of the box before unleashing a fantastic shot which curled and dipped into the top corner.
Craig Knight turned to his bench early in the second half, introducing Gabriele Biancheri and Joe Andrews, as his side attempted to wrestle themselves back into the game.
But they soon found themselves three goals behind as Ireland extended their lead, largely against the run of play, just past the hour mark.
A brilliant team move, which cut through the Wales midfield, lead to Akachukwu firing a pile-driver past an outstretched Armstrong.
Knight made further changes, introducing Joe Hatch, Josh Beecher and Rhys Thomas, but Cymru were unable to find a way past the Irish defence.
Wales now sit bottom of Group A, having suffered defeat in their first two-game at the U17 European Championship.
