Ireland U17s 1*-1 Canada U17s

(Ireland win 8-7 on penalties)

The Ireland U17s are through to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Canada on Friday evening.

Ireland’s pair of Noonans were the heroes on the night, with goalkeeper Alex producing the decisive save during the shootout.

Striker Michael Noonan had put Ireland ahead in the second half, after a long ball broke to the Shamrock Rovers forward, who finished for his third goal in four games at this tournament.

There were further chances for Ireland, who spent much of the game camped out in the Canadian defensive third chasing the second that would secure their win.

However, it would be Canada who would score the next goal, just minutes from time.

Ireland’s resolute stand would be broken with just five minutes to play, as a long-range effort from Sergei Kovlovskiy trickled past Irish ‘keeper Alex Noonan to level things up.

The Irish youngsters still had chances to win the game in injury-time but, ultimately, the tie was headed to a shootout.

A remarkably tense shootout saw every outfield player take a penalty, before Alex Noonan produced a dramatic save on Canada’s 10th spot kick to secure a 9-8 win for the Boys in Green and send them to the second knockout round.

There was plenty of bite during the shootout, with several Irish players clashing with the vocal Canadian goalkeeper Jonathan Ransom.

Post-match, Ireland were praised for their ability to keep their cool as Ransom visibly tried to rile them up with every penatly.

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Ireland U17s penalties v Canada

For 16- and 17-year-old players, a penalty shootout is a brutally nerve-wracking way to decide a knockout World Cup game.

Ireland’s task was not helped by the antics of one member of the opposition on Friday evening.

As the penalty shootout between Ireland and Canada progressed, several Irish players clashed with the boisterous Canadian ‘keeper Jonathan Ransom.

Ransom appeared to trash talk several Irish stars as they stepped up to the spot, with some, including Jaden Umeh and Kian McMahon-Brown, biting back at Ransom.

Ransom remonstrated wildly with the referee on multiple occasions, accusing him of not blowing his whistle to signal a penalty was about to be taken.

He also tried to delay Irish penalties by performing pull-ups on his crossbar, and celebrated wildly after producing a brilliant save from Oisin McDonagh to keep Canada in the shootout.

Despite the ridiculously boisterous antics of the opposition ‘keeper, Ireland kept their cool and would secure a famous win after 20 penalties.

Given the context, it was a remarkable mental feat from such young players, and the Ireland U17s received well-earned praise from the RTÉ panel at full-time.

“It’s funny, Jonathan Ransom, throughout the whole shootout, was playing mind games,” League of Ireland legend Ronan Finn said.

I think it’s nice to see for our lads, because it’s great for the group. Going through 90 minutes, conceding so late, being able to bounce back, getting through a penalty shootout, it’s great for character, great resilience, [makes] a closer bond going into the next round.

Psychologically, it’s difficult. You know it’s such a big occasion, big moment. You’re listening to verbals from the ‘keeper.

In fairness, even the one that Oisin missed, it was a great save.

It’s just great to see you come out on the other side of that. Fantastic composure from the lads, a really big moment from them.

Alan Cawley was alongside Finn in the RTÉ studio, and had a similar take on Ransom’s antics.

There’s no better way of winning. Everybody says it’s a tough way to lose, but to win in a penalty shootout, in terms of the momentum, the confidence going into the next round as well, it keeps them all in great form.

It’s rare that you see [the verbals] as bad as that at underage football. They were proper giving it to the goalkeeper tonight, every chance they had, every one of them.

That’s what we’re talking about, elite level sport, this is what it’s all about.

Superb stuff from the Ireland U17s, who now progress to the last 16 to face Switzerland on Tuesday.

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