Northern Irish and Swiss progress

Northern Ireland and Switzerland moved through from UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 12 but the Faroe Islands in particular put up strong resistance.

Swiss relief
Staging the mini-tournament and using some venues that hosted fixtures in the 2005 U19 finals, Northern Ireland - who were given advice by senior national coach Lawrie Sanchez before their matches - started with a 3-0 win against Cyprus in Lurgan. James McLaughin's stunning opener early in the second half was added to by Ryan McGivern and Ryan O'Neill. Over in Armagh, 2002 winners Switzerland edged past the Faroe Islands with a strike on 54 minutes from substitute Dino Rebronja.

Ferris delight
Switzerland, who last qualified in 2005, then defeated Cyprus 2-0 at The Oval in Belfast. Omar Baljic struck in the opening seconds and Daniel Unal secured the win on 48 minutes. Across the capital in Windsor Park, Northern Ireland knew victory against the Faroe Islands would take them and Switzerland through, but it was not until two minutes into injury time that substitute Matthew Ferris pounced the claim the winner from close range after Hans Jørgensen parried Brian McCaul's cross.

Hosts top
With their spots in the 5 December Elite round draw secured, Northern Ireland and Switzerland played for first place. In a well-fought affair at Windsor Park, Patrick McLaughlin turned in Ferris's 38th-minute centre to secure a 1-0 win for the hosts. Northern Ireland coach Kenny Shiels, who led them to the 2004 finals, said: "We can heap praise on the players and let them enjoy the moment, but make no mistake the hard work starts now. It will be a lot tougher in the Elite round." Third place was up for grabs at Ballymena, and although Páll Klettskarõ's first-half goal was cancelled out 17 minutes from the end by Stamatis Pantos, the 1-1 draw was enough for the Faroe Islands.