A brace from Manchester City's Stephen Elliott ensured the Republic of Ireland Under-20s began their World Youth Championship Group E campaign with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.
Elliott side footed home past Saudi goalkeeper Assaf Al Qarni on 18 minutes following neat build-up play involving midfielder David Bell, striker Jonathan Daly and Manchester City winger Willo Flood.
Defender Paddy McCarthy, one of four City players in the Irish line-up, was called into action early on to block Khalid Al Salamah’s shot, but apart from an Osamah Al Harbi shot in the 34th minute which goalkeeper Wayne Henderson saved at the second attempt, the Irish defence looked solid throughout the opening half.
Arabian centre back Salman Al Khalidi had to be alert eight minutes before the break, preventing Daly from releasing the unmarked Flood through on the Saudi goal.
Gerry Smith’s side had ended the first half on a high note with Blackburn defender John Fitzgerald testing Al Qarni’s reflexes on 44 minutes, from a Bell lay off, but the Saudis struck back just four minutes after the restart when captain Abdullah Al Dosari sent striker Eisa Al Mahyani through and he made no mistake drilling a twelve-yard shot past Henderson to equalise.
The Saudis, who have failed to progress to the second round in their five previous World finals outings, continued to press and the impressive Al Dosari almost put them in front on 67 minutes, when he sliced through the Irish defence only for Henderson to halt his progress.
But the Republic managed to hit the winner through Elliott with 13 minutes remaining, when substitute Graham Ward picked out Elliott at the far post for a powerful header which Al Qarni could not keep out.
The Republic’s next game is on Tuesday afternoon against the Ivory Coast.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 2 (Elliott 18, 77) SAUDI ARABIA 1 (Al Mahyani 49)
Republic of Ireland (4-4-2): Henderson; Fitzgerald, Kelly (Booked 47), McCarthy, Capper (capt); Flood, Whelan (Booked 67), Potter, Bell; Elliott, Daly. Subs: Zayed for Daly (61), Ward for Whelan (69).
Filed by James Boylan
