Northern Ireland battled hard against a physically strong Lithuania side in a U17 Euro qualifier in Belfast this afternoon.
Having already qualified for the elite round next spring, Northern Ireland were not as potent as they were against Scotland and Republic of Ireland in their first two games in the four-team round one group.
However, Andy Waterworth’s side still topped their group despite the 3-1 defeat.
Competition
U17 Euro 2025 Qualifiers - Round 1 Group 8
Scoreline
Lithuania U17s 3-1 Northern Ireland U17s
Scorers
Lithuania: Rodion Piazenko (12’), Dovas Grudzinskas (34’ pen), Adomas Buikus (67’)
Northern Ireland: Paul McGovern (90’)
Venue
Seaview, Belfast
Date
4 November 2024
Team News
Head coach Andy Waterworth made only two changes from the starting XI against Republic of Ireland in the second game, which Northern Ireland won 3-1.
Defender Cead McGrath came in for his first start in the R1 G8 mini tournament, replacing the injured Noah McDonnell, while attacker Chris Atherton returned to the starting line-up in place of Paul McGovern.
How it happened
A powerful Lithuania side took the game to Northern Ireland from the start. They forced a couple of corners before opening the scoring on 12 minutes when lively winger Simas Grabauskas stroked the ball into the path of striker Rodion Piazenko and he applied the finish.
Grabauskas put a shot into the side netting before Northern Ireland striker George Feeney burst forward and fired in a low shot which Lithuania keeper Artiom Sankin managed to push around the post.
On 34 minutes Alex Watson tugged the shirt of Dominykas Taucas inside the penalty area and Austrian referee Stefan Ebner immediately pointed to the spot. Lithuania captain Dovas Grudzinskas confidently slotted the spot kick past Northern Ireland keeper Finn McDonnell.
Northern Ireland created very few chances in the first half, although as half-time approached Chris Atherton fired a shot over the top.
Half-time: Lithuania U17s 2-0 Northern Ireland U17s
After the break Grabauskas found space inside the area, however he steered his shot wide of the post.
Substitute Paul McGovern sped down the flank and fed the ball to fellow sub Joel Kerr, but the Lithuania keeper smothered his shot at close quarters.
On 67 minutes Lithuania extended their lead. Northern Ireland failed to clear their lines from a corner and the ball eventually fell to Adomas Buikus who swept it home.
In the closing stages substitute Josef Orpwood fizzed a shot just wide before McGovern scored a fine consolation goal for Northern Ireland with a powerful curler.
In today’s other game in the group, played in Larne, Republic of Ireland defeated Scotland 3-0.
That win for the Republic meant Northern Ireland topped the group with six points and the Republic (four points) pipped Lithuania (also four points) for second spot as they received fewer cautions than the Lithuanians in their group matches.
In R1 the top two teams in 14 groups qualify to take part in Round 2 League A (which will decide the seven teams joining hosts Albania in next summer’s finals) and the other teams transfer to Round 2 League B.
Afterwards Waterworth said: “I couldn’t have asked for any more from the players. After all, we topped the group.
“We have a really good group of quality players, and we have players who are really committed. Naturally, we are disappointed to lose the game, but we never threw the towel in at any stage, and I was pleased with that.”
Full-time: Lithuania U17s 3-1 Northern Ireland U17s
Lithuania U17s: Artiom Sankin, Paulius Stankus, Dovydas Balsys, Jugas Turcinskas, Julius Planciunas, Dovas Grudzinskas (captain), Dominykas Taucas, Adomas Buikus, Rodion Piazenko, Simas Grabauskas, Grant Emerhi.
Substitutes: (used) Oskar Pukelis, Carmine Mennea, Klemensas Gustas, Justas Rakauskas; (unused) Kristupas Cepulis (GK), Tomas Jonyla, Karolis Kuodis, Ignas Gelgota, Vakaris Bradunas.
Northern Ireland U17s: Finn McDonnell, Darragh McCann, Oisin Gamble, Cead McGrath, Callum Leacock, Alex Watson, Chris Atherton, Troy Savage (captain), George Feeney, Matthew Burns, Ceadach O’Neill.
Substitutes: (used) Alexander Eakin, Joel Kerr, Jack Faloona, Paul McGovern, Josef Orpwood; (unused) Zak Robinson (GK), Scott Hamilton, Luke Hawe.
