Northern Ireland Men’s Under-21s drew 1-1 with Moldova’s U21s in the first of three friendlies being staged in Turkey’s Antalya Province this month.
Tommy Wright’s team largely bossed the game, which was played in blustery conditions at Cornelia Sport Centre in Belek.
However, Moldova grabbed the lead after seven minutes when their centre forward latched on to a long ball over the top and lobbed the ball over onrushing Northern Ireland keeper Fraser Barnsley into the net.
Minutes later Rio Oudnie-Morgan’s cross to the back post was met by Sam Inwood, playing his first game in the Northern Ireland set-up, and his header across the six-yard box was cleared by the Moldovan defence.
In the 26th minute Oudnie-Morgan’s low drive from 20 yards was held by the Moldovan keeper and then fellow striker Makenzie Kirk headed over the top from close range. Down the other end Barnsley pushed a snapshot around the post.
Just after the restart Inwood headed a goal-bound Moldovan effort off the line and over the bar.
In the 68th minute Northern Ireland equalised. Substitute Aodhan Doherty fired in a free-kick which was handled in the area by a Moldovan defender and Oudnie-Morgan stepped up to stroke the resulting penalty into the bottom corner.
On 74 minutes a Doherty cross to the back post was headed over the bar by another substitute, Bayley McCann, before another sub, Conor Falls, guided a shot inches over the top.
Northern Ireland created more chances than the Moldovans in the game but had to settle for the draw.
Next up for the U21s is a challenge match against Ukraine’s U20s at the Bellis Deluxe Centre in Belek on Saturday (5pm start local time).
And they will be back at the same venue next Tuesday (25 March) for their final friendly – against Uzbekistan U21s. It will also kick off at 5pm.
The games in Turkey are preparation matches for the 2025-27 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying group stage.
Wright’s team will be facing Germany, Georgia, Greece, Latvia and Malta in Group F of those qualifiers. The first game is away to Georgia in September.
The Northern Ireland starting line-up against Moldova featured: Fraser Barnsley, Shea Kearney, Matty Carson, Tommy Fogarty, Sam Inwood, Jamie McDonnell (captain), Matthew Orr, Patrick Kelly, Makenzie Kirk, Rio Oudnie-Morgan, Fra Turley.
The substitutes were: Stephen McMullan (GK), Mason Munn (GK), Aodhan Doherty, Sam Glenfield, Darren Robinson, Liam McStravick, Rhys Walsh, Max Wilson, Conor Falls, Conor Barr, Bayley McCann, Tom Atcheson.
Action from Belek
