The Republic of Ireland Under-19s fell to a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in Salzburg in the opening game of the European Championship qualifying campaign.
Goals from Julian Vonmoos and Lorent Tolaj cancelled out Oisin McEntee's early goal with Ireland ending the match with 10 men following Mazeed Ogungbo’s dismissal for a second yellow card.
The game had been due to take place Wednesday afternoon but heavy snow in Austria meant the game was postponed until Thursday.
It had been the dream start for Ireland when they took an early lead. Armstrong Oko-Flex crossed in from a short corner and McEntee provided the back-post finish to give Tom Mohan’s side a superb lead.
From that moment on Switzerland grew into the game. On 12 minutes they had a great opportunity when Vonmoos went one-on-one but Jimmy Corcoran was quick to close down the advancing attacker and the ball went harmlessly wide.
Half way through the first half the Swiss had another chance when Felix Mambimbi collected a fine chip over the top however he saw his effort from inside the 18-yard-box deflect over the bar.
Ireland battled hard to preserve their lead and did well to thwart any threats from the Swiss attack and went in at the break ahead.
In the second half Switzerland continued the pressure and they got back on level terms on 57 minutes. Vonmoos took advantage of a counter attack from an Ireland free-kick and the Basel forward was able to apply the finish.
Less than 10 minutes later came a big moment in the game. Ogbungo, who had already received a caution, was shown a second yellow card by referee Kirill Levnikov and sent off.
On 79 minutes came what proved to be the winning goal. Substitute Tolaj, who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, reacted fastest to a rebounded shot to convert his effort.
Despite being a man down Ireland had several chances to equalise late on. First Oko-Flex had his shot well saved by Nils De Mol. Then Mark McGuinness' header found Thomas Cannon for an overhead kick but De Mol was equal to that too.
Mohan's side now face a crucial game on Saturday against Gibraltar in Straßwalchen at 12pm (Irish time).
Ireland: Corcoran; Ebosele, Ogungbo, McGuinness, McEntee (C); O’Reilly, Everitt (Gilbert 46), Coffey, Noss (Cannon 86), Oko-Flex (Richards 67); Cassidy (Wright 86)
Switzerland: De Mol; Frei, Mistrafovic, Stergiou, Omeragic; Sohm (C) (Cuemi 90+1, Males (Vasic 65), Jankewitz; Vonmoos (Bunjaku 90+1), Azevedo, Mambimbi (Tolaj 74)
Referee: Kirill Levnikov (Russia)
