Northern Ireland’s men’s Under-19 team lost out to Israel in a UEFA U19 Euro qualifier in Albania today.
Competition
U19 Euro 2025 Qualifying Round – Group 11
Scoreline
Israel U19s 3-1 Northern Ireland U19s
Scorers
Israel: Daniel Tishler (6’), Liran Hazan (52’), Yuval Ranon (83’)
Northern Ireland: Matthew Orr (77’)
Venue
Niko Dovana Stadium, Durres
Date
16 November 2024
Team News
U19s boss Gareth McAuley (pictured) made five changes for Northern Ireland’s second game in the qualifying round for U19 Euro 2025; they were defeated by Denmark in their first match.
In came defender Keevan Hawthorne, midfielders Jack Doherty and Dylan Stitt plus attackers Paul McGovern and Ceadach O’Neill.
They replaced defender Conor Haughey, midfielders Callum Burnside, Blaine McClure and Aodhan Doherty plus striker Braiden Graham.
The top two teams in 13 QR groups and the best third-placed team will join top seeds Portugal in the elite round next spring. The seven elite round group winners will join hosts Romania at the finals next summer.
How it happened
Northern Ireland had the first opportunity of the match, striker Ceadach O’Neill guiding an effort wide.
But Israel, who defeated Albania 6-0 in their first group game, opened the scoring after just six minutes. Defender Adir Waheb fed the ball to defender Daniel Tishler and he found the net.
O’Neill forced a save out of Israel keeper Roee Levi and then Israeli striker Yaniv Peretz had an effort blocked.
Very few other chances were created in the remainder of the half by either side, although Northern Ireland keeper Mason Munn saved a strike from substitute Yehoda Belay in added time.
Half-time: Israel U19s 1-0 Northern Ireland U19s
Israel extended their lead on 52 minutes when captain Liran Hazan netted.
The game was scrappy for a period before Munn pushed away an effort from substitute Saied Abu Farchi. From the resulting corner attacker Karem Zoabi hit the woodwork.
In the 73rd minute Munn made saves in quick succession from Zoabi and Hazan before Northern Ireland substitute Callum Burnside had a shot blocked.
Four minutes later Northern Ireland pulled a goal back through Matthew Orr.
Substitute Braiden Graham then had an effort blocked as McAuley’s side went in search of an equaliser.
But Israel made sure of the win on 83 minutes when substitute Yuval Ranon found the back of the net.
Northern Ireland’s final game in the group is on Tuesday (19 Nov) when they are due to play the Albanians at the Elbasan Arena (2pm UK time).
Full-time: Israel U19s 3-1 Northern Ireland U19s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland: Mason Munn (captain), Senan Devine, Keevan Hawthorne, Josh Briggs, Tom Atcheson, Jack Doherty, Cole Brannigan, Francis Turley, Ceadach O’Neill, Paul McGovern, Dylan Stitt.
Substitutes: (used) Callum Burnside, Matthew Orr, Braiden Graham, Blaine McClure; (unused) Ben Metcalf (GK), Conor Haughey, Ryan Corrigan.
Israel: Roee Levi, Noam Schwartz, Daniel Tishler, Adir Waheb, Tomer Lannes, Etai Ehud, Iyad Khalaili, Ido Oli (captain), Yaniv Peretz, Liran Hazan (captain), Karem Zoabi.
Substitutes: (used) Yehoda Belay, Saied Abu Farchi, Amit Banay, Yuval Ranon, Roey Magor; (unused) Daniel Cohen (GK), Itai Baruch, Jad Shibli, Ahmad Abu Mukh.
