Tierney and Wright goals give Crawfords Ireland the booty in Sweden
Ireland’s U21 boss Jim Crawford
Ross Tierney and Tyreik Wright both found the net at Borås Arena earlier today when Ireland’s U21s increased their hopes for European Championship qualifiers with a 2-0 group F victory against Sweden.
Their second triumph in a row over the Swedes – after a 1-0 triumph in Tallaght in November last year – this result leaves Ireland only one point away from today’s opponents in third place. Led by Tallaght native Jim Crawford, they are also just four points behind the top of the table in Italy with three games left to play.
While Crawford made sure there was a Tallaght connection in the dugout, his choice of Ademipo Odubeko meant there was one on the pitch as well.
Odubeko’s international future was previously the subject of much speculation, but he got the nod for his debut in this rating and his first appearance in the green jersey since 2019.
There was also local interest on the bench, with St Patrick’s Athletic duo Darragh Burns and Joe Redmond joining Shamrock Rover’s wingback Andy Lyons among the reserves.
It took Ireland just 12 minutes to break the deadlock at this point and it was the former League of Ireland star Tierney who delivered the goods.
Now in the Scottish Premiership kit Motherwell, after securing a move from Bohemians at the beginning of the year, he hammered on after the Swedish defense failed to clear a Gavin Kilkenny delivery.
Moments after Tierney’s breakthrough, Odubeko attempted an elaborate long-distance ship after the opponent’s net champion Samuel Brolin had driven out of his goal.
The Mjällby AIF borrower came back in time to claim possession, but the 19-year-old Tallaght man led the line well throughout the opening period.
Conor Coventry and Gavin Kilkenny combined with good effect in midfield and this made it possible for Ireland to remain one goal ahead at the break.
Although Sweden generally dominated the ball during the second half, their lack of excellence made it a much more comfortable opportunity for their opponents than they might have expected.
Ireland had a bit of luck in the 81st minute when Isak Jansson looked to be played by left-back Joel Bagan in the 81st minute.
After surviving this release, the boys in green then sealed all three points as Wright rushed to JJ Kayode’s shot and found the net the second time he asked.