Republic of Ireland U-17 0-0 Netherlands U-17
The Republic of Ireland opened their UEFA European Under-17 Championship campaign in Bulgaria with a 0-0 draw against the Netherlands at Arena Sozopol on the Black Sea Coast, but were left cursing their luck as they hit the crossbar late on.
Tom Mohan's side had to defend deep at times as the Dutch controlled possession, but did so stoutly and would have taken all three points had Jamie Aherne's 87th-minute header not come back off the underside of the crossbar.
The game's first real opportunity came in the 13th minute when Carel Elting cut through the Irish defence but his deflected shot saw Caoimhin Kelleher make a stunning reflex save.
In the 33th minute an incredible block by Darragh Leahy denied Javairo Dilrosun a certain goal after Ireland fail to clear initially following a quick counter attack.
The Dutch had a big opportunity in the 52th minute when Robertha burst through on goal but a brilliant tackle by Conor Levingston blocked his effort and Kelleher gathered the loose ball.
Kelleher showed his class a few minutes later when he touched a powerful strike from Elting onto an upright and the Irish defence hacked to safety.
In the 73rd minute Zach Elbouzedi set up Trevor Clarke but keeper Justin Bijlow was well positioned to save his shot. Less than a minute later Clarke fired inches wide across goal after cutting in from the right wing.
In the 78th minute Ronan fired in a free-kick from just outside the box that shaved the outside of upright with the keeper beaten.
With three minutes left in normal time Ireland thought they had scored through Aherne. The striker got his head to a Connor Ronan cross and Bijlow touched it onto the crossbar. The ball bounced down but no goal was awarded.
Five minutes into injury-time Ireland could have snatched the three points when Ronan slipped in Clarke but keeper Bijlow was out to save at his feet as the Irish attacker knocked the ball forward.
Ireland's next game is against Italy on Sunday. The Italians lost 1-0 to England this evening.
"I'm pleased with a point from our opening game but it could just as easily have been three points as we finished the game very strongly," said Mohan.
"The Dutch are a good side and we had to defend heroically at times but there were several big performances from our goalkeeper and defence and they deserved their clean sheet.
"A draw is not a bad start but we won't be getting carried away. Italy are a strong side and will be looking to bounce back from their loss to England so that will represent its own challenge."
Ireland: Kelleher, Hanney, Lunney, Masterson, Leahy, Agyei-Tabi, Levingston (Scully 56), Ronan, Elbouzedi, Barrett (Aherne 70), Clarke.
Netherlands: Bijlow, Troupée, Fosu-Mensah, Van Drongelen, Fernandes (Grot 70), Eiting, Robertha (Malen 60), Dilrosun, De Wit, De Ligt, Peeters (Bijleveld 60).
