The Republic of Ireland Under-19 side will need a positive result from Tuesday’s concluding UEFA European Under-19 Championship Group A game against hosts Romania after the Czech Republic came from behind to inflict a first defeat in nine on Paul Doolin’s side.
Qualification for the semi-finals will go to the wire after Greece defeated Romania 1-0 in the other Group A game on Saturday.
The results to date put the Czech Republic on top of the table with six points, followed by the Republic and Greece on three, while Romania sit at the bottom of the table with no points from two games.
The latest results throw up a whole range of permutations for the final round of group fixtures, but Paul Doolin’s focus will inevitably turn to achieving a positive result against Romania on Tuesday.
Blackburn Rovers’ John O’Sullivan had the Republic ahead at the break, but two goals in two minutes midway through the second half completely changed the complexion of the game.
Paul Doolin made just one change from the side that beat Greece, with Conor Murphy making way for Connor Smith to lead the frontline as the lone striker supported by wingers Seán Murray and Anthony Forde.
Early in the first half, Ireland came close to falling behind.
Firstly, the unmarked Pavel Kaderabek was allowed a free header from the edge of the box in the eighth minute only to direct the effort wide.
While goalkeeper Aaron McCarey wasn’t properly tested in the opening ten minutes, the Wolves stopper was forced to dive low to his left to deny Ladislav Krejci’s shot after the winger availed of a mix-up between the two centre-backs.
Far from allowing the early pressure to deter them, the Republic instantly mounted an attack and found the breakthrough courtesy of a fortunate goal for John O’Sullivan.
Any danger from Sean Murray’s right-wing cross looked to have been averted by the Czech defence when Tomas Kalas headed away. However, when the onrushing Irish full-back Derrick Williams shot at goal from 35 yards, his effort deflected off O’Sullivan on the edge of box, spinning into the net beyond goalkeeper Tomas Koubek.
Ireland assumed control of the game following their early strike and could have doubled their lead three minutes later.
Samir Carruthers fed Anthony Forde on the left and after cutting inside on to his favoured right foot and delivering a cross and Connor Smith’s glancing header was tipped around the post for a corner by Koubek.
Ireland continued to press forward and Irish defenders John Egan and Matt Doherty each passed up chances when Murray’s corners caught the Czech defence napping.
But the indicators of a Czech resurgence came to the fore six minutes before the break as Jiri Skalak wriggled free six yards out, yet couldn’t direct his close-range header on target.
Czech manager Jaroslav Hrebik freshened up his attack after the break with the introduction of Patrik Lacha which brought a cutting edge to their play.
Equally, the withdrawal of O’Sullivan 11 minutes after the break due to the hip flexor injury he has been carrying all week robbed Ireland of much of their creative spark.
The group’s top seeds sensed an opening and they hit the Irish with two goals in as many minutes.
In the 69th minute, Williams’ concession of a free-kick on the right enabled Adam Janos to whip in a superb delivery to the back post where captain Jacub Brabec arrived on cue to steer his header high into the top corner.
Doolin’s side barely had time to absorb that set-back when they slipped behind.
On this occasion, Patrik Lacha controlled the breaking ball halfway inside the Ireland half and unleashing a thunderous shot from 30 yards which found the net.
