Aidomo Emakhu scores brilliant goals for Ireland’s U19 in a 1-1 draw with Sweden
IRELAND followed up their 2-2 draw last Friday today with a 1-1 draw against Sweden in the U19 qualifiers.
Aidomo Emakhu scored with a great finish when Ireland drew evenly shortly after Jusef Erabi gave Sweden an earlier lead.
A squad of 23 led by Tom Mohan will fly out to Spain to prepare for the next qualifier against Bulgaria next month, where they will play Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro in their group.
Mohan made a total of eleven changes from his side’s first meeting with the Swede less than 72 hours earlier, which was their first match in 689 days.
Sweden started with a tense opening of the game. The Swedes led through the first half thanks to striker Jusef Erabi.
Arlo Doherty had initially made a great save, but after a crawl on the edge of the penalty area, Erabi struck and knocked.
Ireland responded and with half an hour away he responded with a well-made equalizer through Aidomo Emakhu.
🇮🇪 | Congratulations to Aidomo Emakhu who scored on his @FAIreland U19’s debut in a 1-1 draw against Sweden in Marbella, Spain earlier today 🇪🇸
We are all very proud of you, @AidomoE 💚#IrishRover 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/duDbUBa51X
– Shamrock Rovers FC ☘️ (@ShamrockRovers) 11 October 2021
Emakhu struck a 30 meter free kick home 25 minutes into the match. 4 – 0 for the home team.
Ireland were on the rise and almost ended a sensational comeback shortly after. Ben McCormack saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 80 minutes.
The second period was marred by a serious injury to McCormack.
When the match came to an end, Ireland almost took the victory but the substitute Cristiano Fitzgerald was denied after good pressure in the attacking third when the two teams took part in the change.
Republic of Ireland: Doherty, Gallagher (Seary 57), Mills, Abankwah (Garcia MacNulty 84), Adedokun (Adaramola 84), Corbally, McJannett (Lawal 84), Vaughan (Mullins 84), McCormack (Finn Benoa 71), Hayes (Fitzgerald 84), Emakhu (Pearce 63).
Sweden: Guadagno, Robak, Nilsson, Ayari, Dahl, Widell, Olsson, Erabi, Swedberg, Navik, Qasem.