Northern Ireland U17s lost 1-0 to Israel in heartbreaking fashion at St George’s Park.
A stoppage time goal gave the Israelis the win in a game in which Northern Ireland created numerous chances.
Competition
UEFA U17 Euro 2025 Qualifiers – Elite Round
Scoreline
Northern Ireland U17s 0-1 Israel U17s
Scorers
Israel: Liam Lusky (90’)
Venue
St George’s Park, Pitch 4
Date
22 March 2025
Team News
Northern Ireland’s Men’s Under-17 team are competing in U17 Euro 2025 elite round qualifiers this month at St George’s Park, the FA’s national training centre in Staffordshire.
For their second game in Group A7 head coach Andy Waterworth made four changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Slovenia in their first game.
Ben Wilson, Joel Kerr, Cead McGrath and Paul McGovern were promoted to the starting 11, while George Feeney, Chris Atherton and Noah McDonnell dropped to the bench. Alex Watson, who harshly received a red card in game one, was suspended.
How it happened
It was a back and forth first half as both sides exchanged efforts. Ceadach O’Neill was the first man to trouble Ilai Potapov in the Israeli goal. At the other end Amitay Yamin was causing Northern Ireland problems.
Both sides then threatened from corner kicks in quick succession with Ben Wilson first heading wide from an O’Neill delivery before Itamar Chosyd went close at the other end.
O’Neill continued to be the biggest threat for Andy Waterworth’s men, while Callum Leacock had an effort well stopped by Potapov but it was still goalless at the break.
Half-time: Northern Ireland U17s 0-0 Israel U17s
The second half descended into a scrappy affair as the game was punctuated by fouls and cheap free-kicks.
Neither side could really grasp the upper hand as the game wore on, with Paul McGovern’s effort on goal turned away on 70 minutes.
Israel head coach Arik Benado introduced Noam Cohen on 72 minutes and, less than 10 minutes later, he tested Finn McDonnell.
O’Neill was the danger man all evening for Northern Ireland and he called Potapov into action again shortly after that.
Substitute George Feeney was lively when he came on but, just as it looked like the game would end goalless, the Under-17s were stung with a stoppage time goal by Israel substitute Liam Lusky.
Head coach Andy Waterworth was full of praise for his side despite the result: “The boys have been brilliant in both games so far and sometimes in football you don’t get what you deserve. Tonight was one of those nights. We have created 38 chances across the two games against quality opponents while limiting opportunities against.
"The boys have risen to the challenge at the elite level and shown a real willingness and desire to play for Northern Ireland. The future is definitely bright.”
Northern Ireland’s final game in the mini tournament is against England. That match is scheduled to be played on Pitch 6 at St George’s on Tuesday (25 March) at 7pm.
Full-time: Northern Ireland U17s 0-1 Israel U17s
Line-ups:
Northern Ireland U17s: Finn McDonnell, Callum Leacock, Cead McGrath, Calum Anderson, Ben Wilson, Troy Savage (captain), Matthew Burns, Coist Walker, Joel Kerr, Ceadach O’Neill, Paul McGovern.
Substitutes: (used) Kalum Thompson, George Feeney; (unused) Corey Sheridan, Oisin Gamble, Noah McDonnell, Chris Atherton, Brandon Downey, Jack Faloona.
Israel U17s: Ilai Potapov, Yehonatan Saul Kucher, Gay Gavriel Eligulashvili, Liran Shpigel (captain), Liroy Avrevaya, Eran Ginat, Itamar Chosyd, Amitay Yamin, Orian Goren, Noam George, Adam Grimberg
Substitutes: (used) Ilay Ben Simon, Ori Ben Lulu, Noam Cohen, Liam Lusky, Noam Yaakov; (unused) Ido Zavaro, Ofek Chiproot, Sahar Lavi, Eido Aharon
