Irish and Dutch stroll on
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Article summary
The Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands moved comfortably into the Elite round at the expense of Belarus and Group 3 hosts F.Y.R. Macedonia.
Article body
The Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands moved comfortably into the UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite round at the expense of Belarus and qualifying round Group 3 hosts F.Y.R. Macedonia in a rainy Strumica.
U17 veterans star
Belarus and the Netherlands met on Matchday 1, with both teams fielding players who took part in the 2005 UEFA European U17 Championship finals in Italy. The Dutch finished runners-up in that competition, and one of the team that played in the decider against Turkey, Jordy Buijs, struck on 40 minutes. Anton Bubnov equalised in the 68th minute but Buijs swiftly restored the Netherlands' advantage and another U17 veteran, Vurnon Anita, confirmed a 3-1 win late on. Ireland defeated the home nation 2-0 as Alan Judge and Adam Rooney struck in each half.
Rooney treble
F.Y.R. Macedonia seemed to be heading for a draw two days later against the Netherlands but with a minute to go Dutch coach Wim van Zwam brought on John Goossens and deep into injury time the AFC Ajax man claimed a dramatic winner. That result took the Netherlands through with Ireland as Seán McCaffrey's side defeated Belarus 4-1. Ireland won a first-minute penalty and although Eddie Nolan was denied Rooney scored on the rebound. Belarus's Ryhor Filipenko received a second yellow card in the 21st minute but before the break Dmitri Rekish equalised. The extra man told in the second period, though, as within 12 minutes Rooney and Spillane both struck. Sergei Kislyi followed off Filipenko as he too was booked for a second time with 19 minutes left and Rooney soon completed his hat-trick.
Irish top
Ireland and the Netherlands, both confirmed in the 5 December Elite round draw, now met for first place, and Rooney added to his mini-tournament tally to settle that matter. Darren Dennehy gave Ireland a 22nd-minute lead and Stoke City FC striker Rooney made it five goals for the week 13 minutes later to complete a 2-0 victory. Aleksandr Kolotsei gave Belarus a 1-0 win against F.Y.R. Macedonia but they cannot go through as the best third-placed team.
