The Republic of Ireland Under-20s must wait until Friday's clash with Mexico to secure second round qualification at the World Youth Championships in the Emirates, following this afternoon's 2-2 draw with fellow Group E leaders the Ivory Coast.
A brace of goals from highly rated striker Arouna Kone looked to have given the Africans their first ever win over European opposition at this level. But Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott struck home his third goal of the tournament in the 74th minute to steal a vital point for the Irish. Nine minutes before the break, Longford Town's Stephen Paisley had drawn Ireland level for the first time, heading home David Bell's left sided free kick for the leveller.
The Africans, nicknamed the ‘Young Elephants’, were awarded a 12th minute penalty, given by Swiss referee Massimo Bussaca for a mistimed tackle by Blackburn defender John Fitzgerald on the advancing Kone.
The 20-year-old striker, who currently plies his trade with Dutch side Roda Kerkrade, confidently dispatched the spot-kick past Wayne Henderson for the lead. It was Kone’s second penalty success of the tournament, having scored the Africans' second, from the spot, in their 2-1 opening win over Mexico.
The Republic dug deep and deservedly equalised following a bout of pressure in which Bray Wanderers striker Eamon Zayed tested the reflexes of goalkeeper Daniel Yeboah.
Nine minutes before the break Paisley celebrated his first start of the tournament, having been called up by Smith in place of Paddy McCarthy, with a goal, heading home Bell’s left sided free-kick for the leveller.
The elusive Kone got the better of Fitzgerald again on 67 minutes when he managed to fire home from an acute angle at Henderson's near post to put the Ivory Coast 2-1 up.
But there was further drama to follow as Elliott pounced in the African box with 16 minutes remaining to hammer home Willo Flood's low cross. Barely a minute later, goalkeeper Yeboah was dismissed by Busacca for deliberately handling outside his area, but the Irish failed to take advantage of the extra man and had to settle for a point.
Filed by Mark O'Neill-Cummins
