Northern Ireland’s Under-16s had a real ding-dong battle with their Finnish counterparts in the second of their two games at a tri-nations tournament in Estonia.
Competition
U16 Tri-Nations Tournament
Scoreline
Finland U16s 3-1 Northern Ireland U16s
Venue
TNTK Stadium, Tallinn
Date
25 September 2024
Team News
Head coach Kris Lindsay (pictured) made six changes to his starting 11 for the second of two international challenge matches as part of a tri-nations tournament in Estonia this week.
Paul Stanfield, Sonny Trainor, Emmett Morrison, Finlay Ross, Harry Gough and Luke Hawe, who scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Estonia’s U16s earlier this week, all came into the team.
Goalkeeper Michael Doherty, captain Calum Anderson, Calum Woods, Joel Kerr and Coran Madden retained their places.
Dropping to the bench were Charlie Campbell, Adam Dolan, Caleb Sweeney, Freddie Murdock, Eamonn Tohill and Sean Cassidy.
How it happened
Northern Ireland almost opened the scoring after two minutes. Some good build-up play eventually saw the ball find Coran Madden who dragged his shot just past the post.
Finland took the lead on six minutes and bossed the game for the next 15 minutes before grabbing a second in the 22nd minute through a powerful strike.
Northern Ireland changed their shape and this helped them to control the game for the remainder of the half. They forced several corners and tested the Finns from set pieces.
They deservedly pulled a goal back on 36 minutes. A neat exchange of passes between Freddie Murdock, Joel Kerr and Paul Stanfield resulted in Stanfield crossing the ball to the back post where the onrushing Harry Gough applied the finish.
Joel Kerr forced a good save out of the Finnish keeper before Finland were awarded a penalty after Calum Anderson was adjudged to have committed a foul inside the area. However, they missed the spot kick.
As half-time approached Madden had another opportunity. This time he guided his effort inches over the bar.
Half-time: Finland U16s 2-1 Northern Ireland U16s
Northern Ireland played on the front foot after the break. Luke Hawe had a couple of decent chances in quick succession. He steered a shot just wide before he was teed up following a good move involving Gough and Sonny Trainor, however he was on the stretch and his shot was comfortably saved by Finland keeper Elias Lahti.
Against the run of play the Finns grabbed a third in the 57th minute. Northern Ireland keeper Michael Doherty initially made a great point blank save, however Finland tucked home the rebound.
Lindsay’s team continued to press right until the end. They created a few half-chances, and dominated the ball, but the Finns had done enough to secure the win.
Afterwards Lindsay said: “Bar probably the first 25 minutes we were pretty solid, both out of possession and in possession. With better decision making and execution in the final third we could have added to our tally.
“Ultimately you can't afford to give teams two-goal head starts in international football, however it was another great learning experience for the players. International football is unforgiving. If you switch off, if you don't perform to your levels, then you get punished no matter who you're playing.
“Over the two games this week the players have had to work hard. There's been lots of learning. That's what these games are about, trying to develop these young players and give them experience of international football and all that goes with it, both on and off the pitch. We have had two competitive games that we will take a lot of positives from.”
Full-time: Finland U16s 3-1 Northern Ireland U16s
Finland: Elias Lahti, Eemil Johansson, Samuel Heikari, Ruben Barret, Niilo Tarvajarvi, Robert Kaasik, Aatu Koivuporras, Otto Paananen, Iivo Nyback (captain), Viljami Valkealahti, Rasmus Mendolin.
Substitutes: Eero Niittyvirta (GK), Jonatan Niskala, Jay De Nascimento, Tarmo Kuusniemi, Toivo Koivuranta, Daniel Kesonen, Joel Visuri, Nestori Meltoranta, Altti Tahkola.
Northern Ireland: Michael Doherty, Paul Stanfield, Calum Anderson, Sonny Trainor, Calum Woods, Emmett Morrison, Finlay Ross, Harry Gough, Joel Kerr, Luke Hawe, Coran Madden.
Substitutes: Cole Smyth (GK), Charlie Campbell, Adam Dolan, Caleb Sweeney, Jay Longridge, Freddie Murdock, Jack May, Eamonn Tohill, Sean Cassidy.
