FAI: REPORT | U21 | Oko-Flex at the double for Ireland

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The FC Zürich attacker, called back into the squad for the October window, chose the perfect time to net his first Under-21s goals with a strike in each half.
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Ireland were made to sweat for the last couple of minutes after a fantastic strike by Lukass Vapne in second-half added time but the goals from Oko-Flex were enough to earn Jim Crawford’s team nine points out of a possible nine so far this campaign.
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Joe Hodge returned to the starting XI having missed the September window due to injury. Oko-Flex was making his competitive debut alongside Connor O’Riordan who was selected in the Irish backline with Bosun Lawal.
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The young Boys in Green gave up a couple of early chances to the hosts with the best falling to Kristians Kauselis who rose highest from a corner and headed just over.
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It was an warning sign for Ireland who responded when Oko-Flex had an effort on eight minutes that flashed over Janis Beks’ bar.
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Ireland began to grow into the game and they were ahead in the 15th*minute. Andrew Moran did well to win a free-kick and from the resulting cross Lawal got above his man, headed off the bar and Oko-Flex was able to turn home.
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It could have been 2-0 shortly after where a mix-up in the Latvian back-line allowed Moran an attempt from distance that was well saved by Beks.
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Crawford’s side took control of the game and they struck the post on the half-hour mark. Tony Springett did excellently down the right and crossed for Sinclair Armstrong but his attempt struck the foot of the upright and bounced clear.
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It would be the last clear cut chance of the first half but Ireland did further their lead 12 minutes into the second-half. Springett, who was electric out wide, beat his man before squaring across the danger area for Oko-Flex, whose shot floated over the head of Beks for 2-0.
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Substitute Zak Gilsenan drew a save out of Beks when his corner-bound effort had to be palmed away for a corner.
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Ireland controlled the game and Emakhu had a great chance when he forced Beks into another save. Gilsenan strode forward, playing in the Millwall striker whose attempt couldn’t beat the outstretched foot of the Latvia number one.
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It looked most likely that Ireland would add to their tally but it was Latvia who struck deep into injury time to set-up a grandstand finish. Vapine took aim from 25-yards out and found the bottom corner to give Latvia feint hope.
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But Ireland would see out the game with the win giving them momentum going into a November window where they face Norway away before returning to Ireland to play Italy.
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Speaking after the game, Ireland Under-21 Head Coach Jim 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.*
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“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.“
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Ireland:*Keeley, Curtis, O’Riordan, Lawal, Furlong, Hodge (C), Healy, Moran (Glisenan, 62’), Springett (O’Neill 83’), Oko-Flex (Emakhu, 73’), Armstrong (Carty, 83’)
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Latvia:*Beks, Sliede, Reingolcs, D. Melniks, Puzireveskis (Krancmanis, 79’), Vapne, Novikovs, Maslovs, R.Melkis (Rascevski, 62’), Kauselis (Rekis, 62’), Anmanis (Patijcuks 90’)
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Referee:*Oliver Reitala (Finland)
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Ireland Category:
Under 21 Mens


Choose Site:
Ireland


Match Preview / Report:
Match Report


Introduction:
Ireland Under-21s made it three wins out of three in qualifying, overcoming Latvia 2-1 thanks to a brace from Armstrong Oko-Flex.*




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