KuwaitVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 June 2023 | 4:00 pm | U21 International | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Another excellent Ireland U21s showing today during their friendly with Kuwait U22s was abandoned early after a racist remark was made by a Kuwaiti player to an Irish substitute. It is unknown exactly when this comment was made but Ireland, 3-0 up at the time, tweeted that "The FAI regrets to announce that today’s U21 international against Kuwait has been abandoned after a racist remark was made by a Kuwaiti player towards one of our substitutes. The FAI does not tolerate any racism towards any of our players or staff and will be reporting this serious matter to FIFA and UEFA." Racism in sport, and football, especially remains an appalling issue and Ireland’s playing squad and staff were courageous to abandon the game in support of trying to stamp out racism, a horrendous blight on society, that still, sadly, makes its presence strongly felt. After handing out eight debuts across the ninety minutes of Friday’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Ukraine, head coach Jim Crawford continued to assess his new-look squad as only four who began that tie remained in the starting side. As a result, there were full U21 debuts for Josh Keeley in goal, Connor O’Riordan and Sean Grehan in defence whilst debutants, off the bench, from the Ukraine game, Darragh Burns and Ed McJannet started across the midfield. With a decent League of Ireland presence in the squad too, the Irish had the tools and freedom of a friendly to go and express themselves despite again going up against slightly older counterparts, Kuwait’s U22s. But age proved no barrier when five minutes in, Ireland stormed ahead, Ollie O’Neill slamming in from close-range to reward an energetic start, Derry manager Ruaidhri Higgins no doubt already mourning the Fulham loanee’s return to Craven Cottage. Starting with a serious intent, Crawford’s side kept their foot to the throttle and accelerated up to score a second moments later. Conor Carty, of St Pat’s, the scorer this time with his first strike for the U21s on just his second appearance. In a first half of utter dominance, Ireland could and should have had more, hero of the hour Bosun Lawal off target before O’Neill spurned a half-chance as Kuwait were relieved to hear half time at only 2-0 down. Two more debuts were dished out at the interval, Emakhu and Jack Henry-Francis on alongside Armstrong Oko-Flex. Emakhu had an immediate impact, taking Ireland’s tally to three goals with a predatory finish. That though, unfortunately, was to be the final act of significance on the pitch as the racism incident, horrifically, took over. A sour note for Ireland’s young stars to end this June international window on but they will be strong for the commencement of Euro 2025 qualification come September. Off the pitch however, this was a stark, scary reminder of the progress to be made.Emakhu On The Mark As U21’s Cruise To Win Over Kuwait
Timeline
| 24. Ollie O'Neill | 5' | |
| 15. Conor Carty | 7' | |
| Conor Carty Aidomo Emakhu | 46' | |
| Bosun Lawal Jack Henry-Francis | 46' | |
| Darragh Burns Armstrong Oko-Flex | 46' | |
| 22. Aidomo Emakhu | 52' |
Ground
| Stadion Wiener Neustadt |
|---|
| Wiener Neustadt Arena, Erwin Schrödinger-Straße, Nova City, Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria, 2700, Austria |
ABANDONED GAME - Awful stuff this which has impacted the premature ending of today's match - the FAI have just tweeted that today’s U21 international against Kuwait has been abandoned after a racist remark was made by a Kuwaiti player towards one of our substitutes.
Into the final ten we go, will Ireland finish with a flourish?
Five goals and five different goal scorers over the last three days can only bode well for this squad, who let's not forget, are without Hodge (today), Tayo Adaramola and Harry Vaughan twice as well as a recovering-from-injury, Sinclair Armstrong, there's real quality of depth here!
Ireland in cruise control at the moment, these two June performances and results will, crucially, have elevated confidence levels up again ahead of the commencement of Euro 2025 qualifiers
3-0! It's Emakhu on debut, mirroring O'Neill's earlier instinctive scramble home from inside the box!
Steadier start to this second half after the relentless opening to the game by Ireland
Debuts for Emakhu and Henry-Francis, by the way!
Three Irish changes at the break made by Crawford - Coming on are forward Aidomo Emakhu, Armstrong Oko-Flex and Jack Henry-Francis as Carty, Lawal and Burns depart
SECOND HALF - Back underway!
HALF TIME - Ireland two to the good and deservedly so!
Hero of the day, defender Lawal on Friday with his brilliant equaliser and O'Neill both going close to extending Ireland's lead but their efforts are narrowly off target as Crawford's men are well on top
Just over half an hour played at the Parktherme Arena and Ireland enjoying themselves so far
Excellent few days for Moran this, his first goal for the U21s side on Friday, finishing a lovely move, followed by being named today with Joe Hodge sitting out as a precaution after a head injury
Sublime start from the boys in green, not always that we get to say that about an Irish soccer side!
Just like buses, two come along at once, Carty with his first goal for the U21s to make it 2-0!
Ireland ahead, O\'Neill with a fine finish!
Just like their last outing, Ireland are up against a slightly older squad today, this is Kuwait\'s U22 side but as Moran was saying before the match, they will be unlikely to let any extra physicality daunt them
KICK OFF - Underway!
Amongst those coming in, there are U21 debuts for Josh Keeley in goal, Connor O'Riordan and Sean Grehan. First starts too for Ed McJannet and Darragh Burns, both having debuted as second half substitutes on Friday
Jim Crawford rings the changes from Friday's encouraging performance in battle with Ukraine. Only four starters - Ollie O'Neill, Conor Carty, late leveller Bosun Lawal and other scorer, Andrew Moran, remain, Moran captaining the team for the first time
Good afternoon and welcome to Final Whistle's live updates of a Ireland u21s friendly, today against Kuwait out in Austria. Kick off is at 4pm and Irish team news is expected imminently