Northern Irish impress in Belgium

Northern Ireland beat Belgium to first place in UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 12 but both teams progressed to the Elite round.

Montenegro bow
Montenegro were making their debut in this competition but Belgium – who reached last season's semi-finals as hosts – were too strong for the newcomers on home soil on Matchday 1 as Birger Longueville, Franck David scored second-half goals in a 2-0 win in Eeklo. Earlier in Maldegem, Northern Ireland defeated Moldova 3-0, Scott Davidson on target before the break, substitute Deaglan Bunting adding another with his second touch and Michael McCrudden wrapping things up late on.

Duo through
There was another victory for Northern Ireland two days later as Bunting again came off the bench to score, converting a penalty he won himself seven minutes from time to seal a 1-0 success against Montenegro. Progress was the top two was assured in the second game of the day in Aalter as Sébastien Dewaest scored on 32 and 36 minutes and Nayib Lagouireh added another not long after the break to give Belgium a 3-0 win against Moldova.

Shiels delighted
Top spot was still at stake on Matchday 3 in and Bunting kept up his scoring record in Northern Ireland's decisive 1-0 win against Belgium in Maldegem. Victorious manager Kenny Shiels said: "The first half was one of the best performances by a Northern Ireland U17 team." Moldova defeated Montenegro 3-1 for the consolation of third place, having struck twice in the first 18 minutes through Octavian Onofrei and Constantin Mandricenco. Marko Vešović's 72nd-minute penalty was Montenegro's first-ever goal in this competition, but Onofrei had the last word in added time.