Ireland U17s 3-2 Cyprus U17s
Nickson Okuson was the Republic of Ireland U17 hero as he snatched a last minute goal to send Colin O’Brien’s team into the European championship finals.
Okuson was only on the field for two minutes when he scored a brilliant late winner. Talk about arriving in the Nick of time.
Ireland looked to be heading out when they trailed 2-1 as group rivals Italy were cruising to a 3-0 win over Ukraine.
Then came the late, late show.
First, Naj Razi scored a superb solo effort. That made it 2-2.
Then Okuson arrived to steal the show. 3-2, Ireland. Victory and qualification for the finals in May in Hungary as they qualified by virtue of scoring more goals than the Italians.
While all is well that ended well, it actually started unpromisingly for Ireland, when Cyprus’ Chrysis Evangelou put them ahead on 39 minutes.
Ireland then equalised via Luke Kehir, who struck a stunning free kick on 66 minutes, before Ioannas Avramadis restored the Cypriot lead just two minutes later.
The Irish cause was helped when Cyprus’ George Socratous was dismissed for a second yellow card and helped further when Razi went on that solo run to score before Okuson sealed the deal with his 96th minute finish.
Irish U17 coach, Colin O’Brien, said: “The players have had a huge education when it comes to tournament football.
“They have played tough opposition, played with 10 men, against 10 men and have had to deal with the swings in momentum in a game.
“This is a great day for Irish football, for Irish youth football and it goes to show just how much talent we have in this country.”
Ireland
Healy, Harnett (Moore 51) Babb, Ashbee, McAndrew (Akachukwu 46), Kefir (Okosun 94) McGrath, Razi, Orazi (Murray 85), Melia
Cyprus
Papakonstantinou, Socratous, Yiannakou, Mikelides, Nikalaou, Hadjigerorgiou (Prinzis 80), Angeli (Avramidis 61), Kattirtzs (Porsaitidis 61), Andreou, Evangelou (Loukadis 71) Isaak (Konstantinou 70)
Referee: Jasper Vergoote (Belgium)
