Northern Ireland’s amateur international team had a disappointing start to their UEFA Regions’ Cup qualification campaign.
Their first game in the intermediate round (Group 4) of the Regions’ Cup competition saw them come up against Association Cantonale Vaudoise de Football (Switzerland), or Vaud for short, this afternoon.
And Vaud did enough at the Centre Sportif de Colovray, which is located opposite UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, to claim all three points following a 1-0 win.
Western Region are representing Northern Ireland in the competition for the first time since 2016 – after winning a play-off game against Eastern Region earlier this year.
It was a pretty cagey affair in Nyon at the start. The first chance of the contest in Switzerland fell to Vaud attacker Hugo Lopez Rullo but his effort was blocked.
Attacker Nick Palmer had the first effort for Harry McConkey’s side, but again it was blocked.
Midfielder Gary McFadden fired in a corner which was met by Northern Ireland captain Nathan Sherry, however the defender missed the target.
Both sides struggled to create chances as they concentrated on stifling the opposition.
Vaud’s Stephan Goncalves missed an opportunity just after the half-hour mark. Then, as half-time approached, Ridvan Hysenaj steered an effort wide of the target.
Lopez Rullo was thwarted again before Switzerland broke the deadlock just after half-time. Lamine Camara Mamadou provided the assist as fellow defender Goncalves found the back of the net in the 48th minute.
Hysenaj fired a free-kick wide as Vaud went in search of a second goal. And Vaud captain Tom Boillot also missed a chance.
Northern Ireland’s first decent opportunity of the second half fell to McFadden but his effort was off target.
In the last 20 minutes the boys from the Western Region pushed for an equaliser. Attacker John Butcher went close before Niall Fielding had a shot blocked.
Swiss midfielder Dupuis Valentin fashioned a goalscoring opportunity but he could not find the net.
In the closing stages Vaud substitute Yanis Marolany blasted a free-kick wide of the target and that was the last meaningful action of a tight game.
Afterwards McConkey said: "After a below par performance in the first half I thought we came to life after their goal. However, realistically we did not trouble their goal enough. A marginal offside decision denied the lads a 1-1 draw, which would have delighted me in the circumstances.
"I had players here today who played 90 minutes on Saturday and then travelled all day yesterday before entering the fray against a well rested host nation team. It's a very hard ask for my players."
Today’s other match in Group 4 saw Munster FA (representing Republic of Ireland) draw 0-0 with Football School Bridge (Georgia).
The Northern Ireland players, who all play at either NIFL Championship or intermediate level, will now have to regroup for their second game in the four-team group.
It is due to be staged on Thursday (24 October) and the opposition will be Munster. Kick-off time is scheduled for 11.30am CET.
The final game for McConkey’s side is on Sunday (27 October) when they will take on Football School Bridge at 4pm CET.
The winners of eight Regions’ Cup intermediate round groups this autumn will qualify for the finals, which will be held June/July 2025 and hosted by one of the qualifiers.
Northern Ireland (Western Region): Gareth Muldoon, Aaron McLaughlin, Niall Fielding, Nathan Sherry (captain), Tiarnan Boorman, Ruairi Boorman, Darragh Byrne, Gary McFadden, Nick Palmer, Reece Byrne, John Butcher.
Substitutes: (used) Jonathan McLean, Ethan Nethery, Tiarnan Campbell, Robert McLean; (unused) Dylan Doherty (GK), Darren Robb, Matthew Callaghan.
Switzerland (Vaud): Diawara Kande, Flavio Saldini, Stephane Goncalves, Lamine Camara Mamadou, Tom Boillot (captain), Julien Beausire, Dupuis Valentin, Ridvan Hysenaj, David Blackwell, Hugo Lopez Rullo, David Carvalhais.
Substitutes: (used) Johannes Schwab, Yanis Marolany, Cedric Mast, Rodolfo Lippo, Esteban Parra; (unused) Micael Barroqueiro (GK), Lucas Pucci.
