Northern Ireland’s Under-18s were narrowly beaten by Morocco U18s in their second and final game in a Tri-Nations Tournament which also featured England.
Competition
Tri-Nations Tournament
Scoreline
Northern Ireland U18 1-2 Morocco U18
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Briggs
Venue
St George’s Park
Date
24 May 2024
Team News
Gareth McAuley made seven changes from the Under-18s team that started against hosts England in their first game of the tournament at The FA’s National Training Centre in Staffordshire.
In came Blaine McClure, Jack Doherty, Casey Smyth, Aodhan Doherty, Max Wilson, Callum McCay and William Procter.
And dropping to the bench were Braiden Graham, Francis Turley, Cole Brannigan, Isaac Hughes, Dylan Stitt, Cormac Austin and Rhys Walsh.
The two matches provided an opportunity for players to stake a claim in McAuley’s U19 panel ahead of the U19 Euros in July.
How it happened
After two games within 48 hours, Northern Ireland were naturally slow to start.
Their Moroccan counterparts were quick out of the blocks and fashioned an opener after just eight minutes. A Northern Ireland set piece was cleared and Morocco netted after a swift counter attack.
And there was a sense of déjà vu when Said Chiba’s side grabbed a second. Again a Northern Ireland attack was broken up and the ball was moved quickly forward by the Moroccans who duly found the back of the net.
After that Northern Ireland settled well and enjoyed lengthy spells of possession.
Half-time: Northern Ireland U18 0-2 Morocco U18
As in the game against England, which Northern Ireland lost 4-2, the second half saw a different Northern Ireland.
They retained the ball well and deservedly pulled a goal back when Aodhan Doherty’s corner was met by captain Josh Briggs (pictured) and he powerfully headed the ball home.
Substitute Braiden Graham looked lively up front and he came close on three separate occasions.
Aodhan Doherty and Casey Smyth, who each had standout performances, drove the team forward, however they could not find an equaliser.
Full-time: Northern Ireland U18 1-2 Morocco U18
Northern Ireland: Mason Munn, Tom Atcheson, Calum Moreland, Josh Briggs (captain), Blaine McClure, Jack Doherty, Casey Smyth, Aodhan Doherty, Max Wilson, Callum McCay, William Procter.
Substitutes: Will Murdock (GK), Owen Grainger (GK), Callum Leacock, Sam Anderson, Braiden Graham, Francis Turley, Cole Brannigan, Isaac Hughes, Dylan Stitt, Cormac Austin, Rhys Walsh.
Morocco: Soufiane Karraoui, Ayoub Outgajouft, Mohammed Kebdani, Amine Chabane, Mouad Bougaizane, Zakaria Allaoui, Aaron Maghouza, Mohamed Katiba (captain), Otman Khris, Akoumi Mehdi, Yahya Idrissi.
Substitutes: Taha Benrhozil (GK), Zoubid Ayman, Zahouani Fouad, Mahsoub Ilyass, Adam Chakir, Houssam Kounia, Ayoub Chaikhoun, Zakaria Kessary, Abdelhamid Maali, Mohammed Hamony, Aymen Zouin, Ayman Ennair.
