Northern Ireland finished in 27th position overall at the inaugural FIFA World Cup and Festival for Under-15 boys’ teams.
After winning their group, with four wins out of four, they went forward to the Tier A competition within the tournament, which was staged in Azerbaijan.
They were defeated by Venezuela on penalties in their Tier A Round of 32 match, but they then played further games in the knockout phase to determine their overall position.
And they finished 27th out of 189 nations at the inaugural eight-a-side tournament, which is part of the world governing body’s commitment to promoting youth football globally.
Reflecting on the tournament, Youth National Coach Michael McClean said: “To travel to Baku and represent Northern Ireland on the global stage has been an incredible experience.
“We got the chance to play against teams from different continents that we never usually get to play against. Our performances were very good both individually and collectively. It was a really positive tournament for the squad.
“As a coach who is deeply passionate about the game, seeing these young players grow, adapt and execute our strategy against top tier international opposition fills me with enormous pride. This achievement is a credit to the players’ motivation and the seamless teamwork across our entire technical staff.”
McClean praised his assistant, Neil McCaffrey, and goalkeeping coach Ciaran Stitt for their input as well as other members of the backroom team who ensured the squad remained focused and organised across a demanding schedule in Azerbaijan.
In the Round of 32 in the top tier at the tournament they lost 5-4 on penalties to Venezuela.
Striker Michael Mulholland opened the scoring early in the second half with an instinctive finish at the back post, but Venezuela levelled soon after.
Both sides had chances to win the game, however it went to penalties. And the South Americans won the shootout.
Next up was a game against Republic of Ireland, which they lost 3-2.
On 18 minutes Mulholland nicked the ball off his marker and curled it into the top corner. It was a lovely finish.
Seven minutes later Mulholland latched on to a superb through ball from Dara Donnan and tucked it into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
But the Republic staged a comeback in the second half. Fionn McCormack Crowe netted on 31 minutes before Tom Casey grabbed an equaliser. And then Crowe slotted in the winner four minutes from the end.
Northern Ireland’s third game to determine their overall position was against Angola and it was a goal fest, with McClean’s boys winning by seven goals to five.
Angola took an early lead but then Northern Ireland edged ahead through goals from Corey Harkin and Conleth O’Neill. Angola equalised before O’Neill found the net again.
The African side equalised once more to make it 3-3, however Harkin netted his second of the game just before the break.
In the second half Mulholland came off the subs bench to score twice and then Eoin McCann drifted forward to slot home from close range to make it 7-3. Towards the end Angola got two consolation goals.
Next up was a match against a robust South Korea side, and they lost that one by a goal to nil.
However, Northern Ireland did create some good chances in the game and were unlucky not to take the match to penalties at least.
Their final match at the tournament in Baku came earlier today and they signed off in style, defeating Algeria 4-1.
Midfielder Will Davison opened the scoring in the first half before Algeria grabbed an equaliser.
Davison restored Northern Ireland’s lead early in the second half and further goals from O’Neill and Harkin secured the win.
Northern Ireland’s results in Group AA were:
7-2 win against New Caledonia (scorers: JB Camlin (2), Will Davison (2), Michael Mulholland, Eoin McCann, Dara Donnan).
10-0 win against Antigua and Barbuda (Michael Mulholland (3), Dara Donnan (2), Alfie Davidson (2), Calum Evans, Shea Donnelly, JB Camlin).
4-0 success against Burkina Faso (Conleth O’Neill (2), Rylan Heaney, JB Camlin).
4-0 victory over Lebanon (Michael Mulholland (3), Dara Donnan).
The FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival offered FIFA member associations of all sizes and with varying football traditions the opportunity to participate in a competition on the global stage.
Youth National Coach McClean chose a 14-player Northern Ireland squad to take part in the tournament. The players mainly came from the Irish FA’s JD Academy (residential and non-residential).
The competition featured an 8v8 format with 20-minute halves designed to maximise player development and match experience.
The 189 competing nations were initially split into 32 groups. The winners of each round-robin group qualified for the Tier A competition, with the other teams in each group going forward to compete in one of five other performance tiers based on qualification stage results.
The Northern Ireland squad at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival was as follows:
Goalkeepers – Luke Bellingham (Ballymena United), Cuan O’Bradaigh (Cliftonville).
Defenders –Cohen Ennis and JB Camlin (both Glentoran), Shea Donnelly (Ballinamallard United), Eoin McCann (Cliftonville).
Midfielders – Rylan Heaney (Norwich City), Alfie Davidson (Glentoran), Calum Evans (Linfield), Will Davison (Dungannon Swifts), Corey Harkin (Derry City).
Attackers – Conleth O’Neill and Dara Donnan (both Linfield), Michael Mulholland (Crusaders).
