Northern Ireland’s Under-17s produced another strong performance before slipping to a narrow defeat to Sweden in the concluding game of the UEFA Elite Round preparation tournament in Spain.
Competition
Prep Tournament
Scoreline
Northern Ireland U17s 1-2 Sweden U17s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Ceadach O'Neill (27')
Sweden: Glad Egbedi (45+2'), Ahmed Saeed (74')
Venue
Estadio Olimpico Camilo Cano, La Nucia
Date
10 February 2025
Team News
U17s boss Andy Waterworth made a number of changes to the starting XI that faced Norway in the last game, bringing in Oisin Gamble, Noah McDonnell, Paul McGovern, Ceadach O'Neill, Alex Watson and Chris Atherton while Callum Leacock, Troy Savage, Joel Kerr, Coist Walker, Sidney Eldred, Kalum Thompson dropped to the bench. Ceadach O'Neill was named as captain for the game.
The Norwegian Football Federation had organised the tournament as preparation for next month's UEFA Elite Rounds at La Nucia in Spain, featuring Norway, Sweden, Poland and Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland went into the game knowing a win would secure top spot in the tournament.
Waterworth's side began the series with a superb performance in a 1-1 draw with Poland last Thursday, coming from behind to level through Sidney Eldred's spot-kick four minutes from time, and followed it up with a heroic performance in a scoreless draw with Norway on Sunday.
How it happened
Northern Ireland created the first effort of note early in proceedings after a Céadach O’Neill free-kick from wide on the right caused problems in the Swedish defence with Paul McGovern's shot on goal being blocked before the ball was eventually cleared.
At the other end keeper Finn McDonnell did well to get down low to smother an effort from the edge of the area.
Northern Ireland grabbed the advantage on 27 minutes when O'Neill received the ball some 25 yards from goal and unleashed a terrific strike that crept low past keeper John-Oliver Lacayo at the left post.
Sweden went in search of the equaliser, and eventually found it deep into first half stoppage time after a long ball out of defence was nodded on for Glad Egbedi to get past the defence down the right and fire low into the bottom corner.
Half-time: Northern Ireland U17s 1-1 Sweden U17s
Sweden started the second half on the front foot, coming close to moving in front with an effort against the crossbar.
Northern Ireland might have regained the lead soon after when McGovern saw a header denied by the keeper while further chances followed albeit from distance and without troubling Lacayo.
However, the game changed with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when Sweden were awarded a penalty for handball which skipper Ahmed Saeed stepped up to convert to ultimately secure the win and top spot in the tournament.
Speaking after the game, Waterworth was quick to praise his side: "Ceadach O'Neill scored an absolute wonder goal, and we had some good chances, but we just couldn't take them.
"We were really disappointed to lose the game how we did. It's easy to be annoyed at some of the decisions and feel sorry for yourself, but it was a good learning process.
"I said to the players that you might get games like this further on or in their own professional careers but all in all it was a strong performance.
"We came out here to prepare for the Elite Round and it was excellent preparation. Over the three games I've been very proud. The boys have conducted themselves so well."
Full-time: Northern Ireland U17s 1-2 Sweden U17s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland starting XI: Finn McDonnell, Oisin Gamble, Noah McDonnell, Chris Atherton, Matthew Burns, Paul McGovern, Ceadach O'Neill, Calum Anderson, Cead McGrath, Alex Watson, Ben Wilson
Substitutes: Kai Morgan, Darragh McCann, Callum Leacock, Troy Savage, Joel Kerr, Kalum Thompson, Coist Walker, Sidney Eldred, Glenn McCourt, Jack Faloona, Brandon Downey
