Northern Ireland Under-16s drew 1-1 with their Estonian counterparts in an international challenge match despite playing most of the game with 10 men.
Competition
U16 Tri-Nations Tournament
Scoreline
Estonia U16s 1-1 Northern Ireland U16s
Scorers
Estonia: Aston Visse
Northern Ireland: Luke Hawe
Venue
TNTK Stadium, Tallinn
Date
23 September 2024
Team News
Head coach Kris Lindsay has chosen a 20-strong U16 squad for two friendly games in Estonia this week.
The first game in Tallinn was against the hosts, while game two in the Estonian capital is against Finland.
How it happened
Northern Ireland started on the front foot and had a couple of half-chances before Estonia keeper Patrick Streinikov saved well from Eamonn Tohill.
Lindsay’s side had the bulk of the possession and restricted Estonia to a couple of counter attacks which petered out.
Midfielder Freddie Murdock got his marching orders around the 30-minute mark when he received two yellow cards in quick succession as he prepared to take a free-kick. It was a baffling decision from the ref.
However, Murdock’s dismissal did not change the pattern of the game, and Northern Ireland continued to dominate.
Half-time: Estonia U16s 0-0 Northern Ireland U16s
Northern Ireland dictated proceedings after the break, however Estonia opened the scoring on 55 minutes following a good passage of play. Centre forward Aston Visse produced a fine finish.
The visitors did not panic, however, and continued to create opportunities. Streinikov made an incredible save to keep out a powerful Joel Kerr header which look destined for the top corner.
Northern Ireland deservedly drew level when substitute Sonny Trainor and Kerr combined to set up another sub, Luke Hawe, and he made no mistake.
In the closing stages it was all Northern Ireland. They had a few half-chances, while the Estonian keeper also made a couple of saves.
Afterwards Lindsay said: “We probably could have won the game. We showed great character and great discipline with 10 men.
“In possession we were good. At times we could have been a little bit sharper and moved the ball a little bit quicker, however it's development football and the players are learning all the time. It's another taste of international football for them. We limited Estonia to very few chances, which was pleasing.”
Their second and final game in the tournament is against Finland tomorrow (25 September) with a 17:00 start local time (15:00 BST).
Full-time: Estonia U16s 1-1 Northern Ireland U16s
Estonia: Patrick Streinikov, Ron Neltsas, Ronald Sammul, Uku Viiroja, Andreas Poder, Gustav Kamarin Wagner, Ako Henno Korre, Roven Juhanson, Robert Mihhalevski, Andero Kaares (captain).
Substitutes: Harly Ollin (GK), Joonas Kindel (GK), Rocco Oja, Samuel Kirsipuu, Gustav Georg Herman, Nikita Ingelmann, Karel Isok, Jako Ilves, Karl-Tristan Lorenz, Romet Hurt, Ilja Mohnja.
Northern Ireland: Michael Doherty, Charlie Campbell, Sean Cassidy, Calum Anderson (captain), Adam Dolan, Calum Woods, Caleb Sweeney, Freddie Murdock, Joel Kerr, Eamonn Tohill, Coran Madden.
Substitutes: Cole Smyth (GK), Paul Stanfield, Sonny Trainor, Emmett Morrison, Finlay Ross, Jay Longridge, Harry Gough, Jack May, Luke Hawe.
