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Connolly shines as Israel hold out for a draw

Updated / Friday, 23 Sep 2022 22:59
Evan Ferguson celebrates with Conor Coventry
Evan Ferguson celebrates with Conor Coventry

Republic of Ireland 1-1 Israel

The Republic of Ireland under-21s will perhaps rue what could have been after drawing the first leg of their UEFA European Championship play-off 1-1 at home to Israel.

In a game that the home side edged over the course of 90 minutes, manager Jim Crawford will be disappointed with his side not taking an advantage over to Israel for Tuesday's second leg.

Brighton's Evan Ferguson headed in the equaliser after Ireland had initially gone behind to a goal from Israel striker Idan Gorno.

The biggest talking point in the build-up to the game was whether the recalled Aaron Connolly would start, and he did, partnered with Ferguson up top, fully rewarding his manager's decision to select him.

The opening ten minutes were controlled by Israel, they moved the ball without creating any opportunity of note.

The Irish back three of Jake O’Brien, Joe Redmond and Eiran Cashin had only ever played together in training, Redmond making his first start at this level.

All eyes however where on Connolly, the player currently on loan at Serie B side Venezia who was making his first start at this level since September 2019.

His first touch was good, he held the ball up and brought others into play, left-wing-back Tyreik Wright being the main player he found.

Just 15 minutes in, Connolly nearly made the perfect start. A cross from the left from Wright was headed out to the edge of the box, Conor Coventry did well to muscle possession.

Coventry slipped in Connolly who was on the shoulder of the Israeli defender, and eight yards out at a narrow angle, he shot low but 'keeper Daniel Peretz made a wonderful fingertip save that flicked the ball onto the near post and it squirmed away across the goal but not across the goal-line.

The home side were now in the ascendancy, but Oscar Gloukh kept them honest, fizzing a long-range effort that dipped on to the roof of Brian Maher’s net.

Connolly again did well to hold off a challenge from an Israeli defender and managed to work a pass out wide to Lee O’Connor.

O’Connor found Connolly with a great pass to feet inside the box, he controlled neatly, swivelled and shot but the ball just drifted wide of the far post.

Ireland continued their pro-active approach to the game. Coventry and Joe Hodge offering a solid platform in midfield, whilst Ferguson was a constant nuisance to the Israeli defence.

Five minutes before the half-time whistle, Ferguson drifted inside a couple of Israeli defenders before laying the ball off to Will Smallbone who took a first-time shot that Peretz did well to tip over.

It was then when, for some reason, Ireland switched off. Gloukh hit a fantastic free-kick which Maher got down sharply to parry away, before Kanaan drifted inside from the left and tested Maher once more from long range.

However, Maher will not be happy with his decision-making for the goal .A floated corner kick to the back post was enticing enough for the Derry City ‘keeper to come and claim but he get nowhere near it. Gorno rose above Redmond at the back post and had the relatively simple task of heading into an empty net.

Just 13 minutes into the second period, a run in behind from Connolly was finally found by Redmond, and the Galwegian won a free-kick wide on the right near the end-line.

Smallbone stood the ball up to the back post where the excellent Cashin headed across goal but no Irish player was racing to get on the end of it.

Connolly then received the ball on the left and tried to dribble through a couple defenders before winning a corner. Just by having a go, and running at players, Connolly was wining over the 6,786 fans in attendance.

Finally Ireland were rewarded for the positive approach when Wright delivered a corner right on to the head of Ferguson who firmly planted it into the bottom corner for the equaliser.

Ireland's tails were up. Wright stood up a cross to the back post after a surging run down the right from Ferguson.

Smallbone dinked a cross to Connolly who just couldn't get enough purchase on it to power past the Israeli 'keeper.

Connolly chased every lost cause, every aimless ball, he turned poor passes into good ones and offered a good foil for fellow strike partner Ferguson. Mipo Odubeko replaced Ferguson who had ran his legs in to the ground.

With just ten minutes remaining, Connolly spun in behind again after a lofted Coventry through ball. This time he was clipped by retreating Israeli defender Stav Lemkin and referee Dario Bel showed no hesitation in showing a red card.

Ireland assistant coach John O'Shea couldn't believe no penalty was given, it looked mighty close.

It was nearly the Hollywood ending for Connolly. He chased his own flick-on to volley over from 18 yards out which would have sent the home fans wild, but it wasn't to be.

It is all to play for in the second leg, which takes place in Tel-Aviv next Tuesday night with a 6.15pm kick-off live on the RTE Player. Coverage begins at 6.10pm.

Republic of Ireland U21: Brian Maher; Jake O’Brien, Eiran Cashin, Joe Redmond; Lee O’Connor, Conor Coventry (C), Joe Hodge (Dawson Devoy 73), Tyreik Wright (Festy Ebosele 83); Will Smallbone; Aaron Connolly, Evan Ferguson (Mipo Odubeko 79).

Israel U21: Daniel Peretz; Roi Herman (Karm Jaber 60), El Yam Kancepolsky (Yoav Hofmeister), Ziv Morgan, Gil Cohen (C), Stav Lemkin; Osher Davida (Zohar Zasno), Mohammed Kanaan (Hicham Layous 60), Oscar Gloukh, Ido Shahar; Idan Gorno (Noam Gil Melamud 83).

Referee: Dario Bel (CRO).

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