Northern Ireland’s junior international team drew with Slovakia in an incident-packed UEFA Regions’ Cup intermediate round tie today.
Harry McConkey’s side led 2-0 at the break, however West Slovakia (representing Slovakia) scored two goals in quick succession in the second half to leave the final score at 2-2.
Eastern Region (representing Northern Ireland) played well and created some good chances in their second game in the four-team Group 6 mini tournament being staged in Albania - despite going down to 10 men early on.
Junior international manager McConkey made five changes to the line-up that started the 2-0 defeat to Piemonte Valle d'Aosta Regional FA (representing Italy) in game one.
Lewis Hunter replaced Gerard Walker in nets, while defenders Curtis Brown and Sam Dinu, midfielder Charlie Dornan and attacker Jonny Ewart also came in to the team.
The outfield players dropping to the bench were defenders Leon Lavery and Gareth Henderson, midfielder Paul Donnelly and attacker Kyle Woods.
Northern Ireland took the lead in the match at Stadiumi Luz i Vogël in Kavaje Municipality in western Albania after just five minutes.
Midfielder Patrick Downey was upended by Slovakia captain Michal Hrenak inside the area – and defender Curtis Brown slotted home the resultant spot kick.
But minutes later they were down to 10 men, with goalkeeper Hunter given his marching orders for denying a player a goalscoring opportunity.
Gerard Walker came off the bench to replace Hunter in nets, while Downey was substituted.
West Slovakia, who defeated Albania 6-1 in their opening game, quickly looked to capitalise on having the extra man. Attacker Adam Gaborik fired a free-kick off target before midfielder Adam Sutor had an attempt on goal.
Further efforts from midfielder Kristian Urban and defender Denis Knizka followed before Urban had a shot blocked.
Northern Ireland weathered the storm and stretched their lead on 39 minutes when midfielder Charlie Dornan found the back of the net. And minutes later Dornan steered an effort wide.
A triple substitution at half-time gave the Slovakians fresh impetus.
One of their subs, midfielder Mario Michalec, was fouled inside the penalty area by Dornan on 50 minutes. And defender Mate Vass duly stepped up to convert the spot kick.
Gaborik then missed the target before West Slovakia levelled. Urban fed one of the other half-time subs, midfielder Matus Valo, and he applied the finish in the 55th minute.
Valo had another opportunity before Slovakia were also reduced to 10 men after Vass was booked for a second time and dismissed.
Northern Ireland then went on the attack. A Matty Herron corner found Mick Byrne but his shot was blocked.
Gaborik and defender Robert Rippel had chances for the Slovakians before Michalec put a shot wide.
In the 80th minute Northern Ireland substitute John Mahoney tried his luck but the defender’s effort was off target.
As the game entered the closing stages another Northern Ireland sub, defender Leon Lavery, missed a chance.
On 89 minutes substitute Patrik Krivosik had the opportunity to win it for West Slovakia, however the midfielder’s attempt was thwarted.
Northern Ireland’s final game will take place at the House of Football in Tirana, the Albanian capital, on Wednesday (4 November). Their opponents will be a team chosen from across Albania (12.30pm GMT).
The winners of Group 6 in the intermediate round will advance to the final tournament in the summer of 2027.
Today’s results mean either Italy (now on six points after they defeated Albania 2-1) or Slovakia (four points) will win the group.
West Slovakia: Zsombor Ollari, Jergus Halabrin, Robert Rippel, Mate Vass, Denis Knizka, Adam Sutor, Matej Palacka, Kristian Urban, Michal Hrenak (captain), Denis Pansky, Adam Gaborik.
Substitutes: (used) Matus Valo, Martin Filkorn, Mario Michalec, Jozef Balcirak, Patrik Krivosik; (unused) Lubomir Kratky (GK), Filip Baranovic.
Northern Ireland: Lewis Hunter, Thomas McNeill, Curtis Brown, Mark Lyons, Sam Dinu, Richard Gowdy (captain), Jonathan Ewart, Michael Byrne, Matty Herron, Patrick Downey, Charlie Dornan.
Substitutes: (used) Gerard Walker (GK), John Mahoney, Leon Lavery, Paul Donnelly, Kyle Woods; (unused) Gareth Henderson, Seamus Duffy.
