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Russia beat Ireland to top Group 4

Russia were unable to match the Republic of Ireland's goal haul, but managed three 1-0 wins to top Group 4 and advance alongside Ireland to the qualifying round.

David Connell's Ireland advance in second
David Connell's Ireland advance in second ©Sportsfile

Russia could not match the scoring prowess of the Republic of Ireland in UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 4, but reeled off three successive 1-0 wins to top the section.

David Connell's Ireland side had scored 13 goals in winning their first two games, with Russia managing only two against the same opposition. However, substitute Yana Khotyreva got the only goal of the decider just after the break in the final game to secure top spot for Natalia Kornyushina's mini-tournament hosts.

Ireland had started off the section in emphatic style as they blew away Bosnia and Herzegovina 12-1 in their opening match. Roma Mclaughlin and Megan Connolly both hit hat-tricks, but the duo were overshadowed by Jessica Gargan's four. Olga Voloshina's 44th-minute strike was enough to get Russia up and running against Turkey on the same day.

Connelly struck again as Ireland won 1-0 against Turkey, a scoreline matched by Russia against Bosnia courtesy of Khotyreva's second-half strike. It was a trick she repeated on the final day in Ulyanovsk to secure top spot for her side, meaning Ireland advance to the second qualifying round as runners-up. Turkey secured third position as Selin Sivrikaya's treble earned a 3-0 win against Ilija Lučić's team, who finish bottom.