Northern Ireland’s Men’s Under-21s defeated Uzbekistan U21s by a goal to nil in Turkey today.
It was the last of three friendlies for Tommy Wright’s side in Turkey’s Antalya Province this month.
For the game at the Bellis Deluxe Centre in Belek U21s boss Wright made nine changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Ukraine U20s in the team’s second friendly.
Mason Munn replaced Stephen McMullan in nets, while Matty Orr, Makenzie Kirk, Tom Atcheson, Fra Turley, Matty Carson, Max Wilson, Shea Kearney and Rio Oudnie-Morgan were also brought in to the starting 11.
Only midfielders Patrick Kelly and Darren Robinson kept their places, while Conor Barr, Bayley McCann, Aodhan Doherty, Liam McStravick, Conor Falls, Bayley McCann, Tommy Fogarty and Sam Glenfield dropped to the bench.
Just like in the games against Ukraine and Moldova U21s - it ended 1-1 - the U21s had plenty of the ball.
The first chance of the game fell to Kirk in the third minute, however he dragged his shot wide of the post.
On 11 minutes Kirk showed great skill to skip past his marker but could only guide his low drive past the post.
There was some good approach work from both sides during the first half, although it was largely a case of defences on top.
Northern Ireland keeper Mason Munn looked comfortable collecting a couple of well-struck low crosses.
Just before half-time Uzbekistan’s centre forward dragged a shot past the far post after Munn had narrowed the angle.
On 51 minutes substitute Aodhan Doherty whipped a free-kick into the area, however the Uzbekistan defence managed to clear the danger, and one of their players headed over the top down the other end.
In the 56th minute Doherty sped down the left flank and drilled the ball into the area where Fra Turley was on hand to slam it home from 12 yards to give Northern Ireland the lead.
Six minutes later substitute Conor Barr cleared a goal-bound deflected Uzbekistan shot off the line.
On 70 minutes Kelly chested the ball down inside the area, from a clearance, and struck a lovely volley. He was unlucky to see the ball rise just over the bar.
The lively Doherty whipped in a few dangerous crosses which Uzbekistan managed to clear.
Northern Ireland defender Matty Carson made a superb covering tackle as Uzbekistan looked set to score.
Uzbekistan pushed forward towards the end in search of a leveller but Northern Ireland produced a string of fine interventions to keep them at bay, and the game ended in a deserved win for Wright’s team.
Northern Ireland U21s: Mason Munn, Shea Kearney, Matty Carson, Matty Orr, Tom Atcheson, Darren Robinson (captain), Rio Oudnie-Morgan, Patrick Kelly, Makenzie Kirk, Max Wilson, Fra Turley.
Substitutes: Stephen McMullan (GK), Fraser Barnsley (GK), Conor Barr, Bayley McCann, Samuel Inwood, Jamie McDonnell, Tommy Fogarty, Aodhan Doherty, Sam Glenfield, Conor Falls, Liam McStravick, Rhys Walsh.
