Latvia 1-2 Rep Ireland
Two goals from Armstrong Oko-Flex kept Ireland's unbeaten start to their U21 European qualification campaign alive - although an injury-time goal from Latvia made for a nervy final couple of minutes in Jelgava.
After a fast start by the hosts, Ireland quickly took control of the game and on the 15-minute mark, Oko-Flex finished smartly on the rebound after Mo Lawell's header had come back off the crossbar.
Jim Crawford's side dominated possession from that point on although they couldn't quite find that crucial second and went in at the break just a goal to the good.
At the back, Lawell and Connor O'Riordan kept the home side at bay while Tony Springett was a constant threat, cutting in on his left foot from the right wing.
After the break, Ireland more or less picked up where they left off but again the second goal proved elusive. The home side began to feel their way back into the encounter and, although never really threatening Josh Keely's goal, began to show signs that they were not prepared to go quietly.
Oko-Flex's second goal, when it came in the 57th minute, was crucial. Again, it was Springett who caused the home side a problem down the right. He made it to the byline, cut across and coolly picked out Oko-Flex. The FC Zurich winger may not have made the best contact, but he directed the ball towards goal and - after it came off the head of a luckless Latvian defender - Ireland were 2-0 up.
Sinclair Armstrong led the line all afternoon and might have had a goal for his efforts although Latvian goalkeeper Janis Beks showed why he's entrusted with the captain's armband, making several saves throughout.
In midfield, Irish skipper Joe Hodge and the in-form Andrew Moran were excellent. Moran went close to making it 3-0 on the hour mark just before he was replaced by Zak Gilsenan having picked up a slight knock in the lead-up to the second goal.
Gilsenan and his fellow sub, Aidomo Emakhu - who replaced double goalscorer Oko-Flex - both got to the pitch of things immediately with both players forcing excellent saves from Beks.
Ireland were made to sweat it however when Latvia pulled one back two minutes into injury time - with two more minutes still to play. Lukass Vapne fired a smart effort from distance through the legs of O'Riordan into Keely's bottom corner.
Crawford's side held on, however. Next up for this exciting U21 side is a trip to Norway on 17 November followed by a home tie against Italy.
Speaking after the game, manager Crawford said: "If you had said to me beforehand, that whole cliche, 'would I have taken 2-1 here?' I would have, because Italy came here to Latvia and drew 0-0. We knew it was a potential banana skin, but we had the players well drilled in what to expect.
"There are huge games and certainly stiffer tests to come, but one thing we have going for us is a little bit of momentum. Three games and three wins, momentum is a big thing in football. It breeds confidence with players."
Ireland: Keeley, Curtis, O’Riordan, Lawal, Furlong, Hodge (C), Healy, Moran (Glisenan, 62’), Springett (O’Neill 83’), Oko-Flex (Emakhu, 73’), Armstrong (Carty, 83’)
Latvia: Beks (C), Sliede, Reingolcs, D. Melniks, Puzireveskis (Krancmanis, 79’), Vapne, Novikovs, Maslovs, R Melkis (Rascevski, 62’), Kauselis (Rekis, 62’), Anmanis (Patijcuks 90’).
Referee: Oliver Reitala (Finland)
