A late goal from substitute Braiden Graham helped Northern Ireland’s men’s Under-19 team defeat hosts Albania in a UEFA U19 Euro qualifier today.
Competition
U19 Euro 2025 Qualifying Round – Group 11
Scoreline
Albania U19s 0-1 Northern Ireland U19s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Braiden Graham (88’)
Venue
Elbasan Arena, Elbasan
Date
19 November 2024
Team News
U19s boss Gareth McAuley made four changes for Northern Ireland’s third and final game in the qualifying round for U19 Euro 2025; they were defeated by Denmark and Israel in their first two games.
Defenders Matthew Orr and Conor Haughey plus midfielder Callum Burnside and attacker Ryan Corrigan came in to the starting 11, with defenders Keevan Hawthorne and Josh Briggs dropping out along with midfielders Cole Brannigan and Dylan Stitt.
Like Northern Ireland, hosts Albania lost their opening two games in the QR Group 11 four-team mini tournament against Israel and Denmark.
How it happened
Northern Ireland took the game to the Albanians and created more chances than the hosts in the first half – and overall.
Francis Turley steered an effort wide early on before Albania keeper Alain Taho saved from Ceadach O’Neill.
Towards the end of the half a Callum Burnside free-kick found Turley, however he missed the target.
And in added time Burnside took a couple of corners in quick succession, but no-one could provide the vital touch.
Half-time: Albania U19s 0-0 Northern Ireland U19s
Northern Ireland had the first clearcut chance of the second half, attacker Paul McGovern forcing a save out of Albania substitute keeper Amarildo Dervishi.
On 60 minutes Northern Ireland keeper Mason Munn showed his quality when saving an effort from Albania striker Joi Nuredini.
Just a minute later McGovern hit the woodwork before Munn was called into action again to thwart an attempt by forward Frederik Tosku.
O’Neill had a chance to open the scoring on 86 minutes but he missed the target, while Albania sub Glenis Belloj steered an attempt wide, too.
In the 88th minute, however, Northern Ireland sub Braiden Graham (pictured) popped up with a winner for McAuley’s side.
Right at the death Arifi smashed an effort against the woodwork, but Northern Ireland held on to secure the win.
Despite the victory Northern Ireland bowed out of this season’s competition at the qualifying round stage. They finished third in their group. Table toppers Denmark defeated second-placed Israel today to make it three wins out of three.
Full-time: Albania U19s 0-1 Northern Ireland U19s
Line-ups
Albania: Alain Taho, Denis Prendi, Rajmond Marinaj, Fabjan Perndreca, Adi Kurti (captain), Antonios Dama, Jordi Jaku, Dean Vranici, Joi Nuredini, Frederik Tosku, Ergis Arifi.
Substitutes: (used) Amarildo Dervishi (GK), Klaus Kashari, Glenis Belloj, Rron Hasani, Ernesto Bakiu; (unused) Flavio Sulejmani, Kledi Marinaj.
Northern Ireland: Mason Munn, Senan Devine, Matthew Orr, Conor Haughey, Tom Atcheson, Jack Doherty (captain), Callum Burnside, Ryan Corrigan, Ceadach O’Neill, Francis Turley, Paul McGovern.
Substitutes: (used) Braiden Graham, Cole Brannigan, Blaine McClure; (unused) Ben Metcalf (GK), Keevan Hawthorne, Dylan Stitt, Aodhan Doherty.
