Soccer

Ireland Under-21s prove too hot for China after fast start in Toulon

Stephen Kenny’s side impress against older side after going ahead after just 33 seconds

Zach Elbouzedi scored Ireland’s opener after just 33 seconds against China. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

John Fallon in Marseille
Mon Jun 3 2019 - 19:44

Republic of Ireland Under-21 4 China Under-23 1

Republic of Ireland Under-21 manager Stephen Kenny declared himself satisfied at his team's scintillating start to their Toulon Tournament campaign on Monday afternoon in Marseille.

After beating Luxembourg 3-0 in the first game of his tenure in March, Kenny's cubs maintained their swashbuckling style by dominating an older China side managed by Dutch legend Guus Hiddink.

Zach Elbouzedi had Ireland ahead after just 33 seconds, swiftly followed a second from Aaron Connolly's four minutes later.

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China briefly threatened a comeback by pulling one back through Yang Li's 18th-minute header but a pair of second-half penalties from Adam Idah completed another resounding victory.

Up next for Ireland are last year’s runners-up, Mexico, on Thursday night followed by the concluding Group C match against Bahrain on Sunday.

“I was delighted with the overall performance,” admitted Kenny, due to succeed Mick McCarthy in the senior post next year.

“People might associate China with technical style but they’re a strong physical team that are dangerous from set-pieces.

“It was disappointing to concede one from a corner kick but it was a very pleasing display from all the players. I couldn’t fault any of them.”

Brighton and Hove Albion attacker Connolly was the only change to the side so impressive in Kenny’s first game. He was straight into the action, racing to the end-line inside the first minute and his cut-back allowed Elbouzedi to side-foot a first-time shot from 10 yards in off the underside of the crossbar.

Connolly’s volleyed finish had Ireland in cruise control until Li punished slack marking by heading in to make it 2-1.

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher’s save with his leg from Huanhuan Shan’s low shot proved pivotal as Ireland went on see out the match. Idah converted spot-kicks on 54 and 82 minutes following handball infringements in the box by China.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND UNDER-21: C Kelleher (Liverpool); L O'Connor (Manchester United), D O'Shea (West Brom), C Masterson (Liverpool), D Leahy (Bohemians); J Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion), C Coventry (West Ham United); Z Elbouzedi (Waterford), C Ronan (Wolves), A Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion); A Idah (Norwich City).

Subs: J Knight (Derby County) for Ronan (63 mins), S Power (Norwich City) for Connolly (77), A Drinan (Waterford) for Idah (83), J Taylor (Barnet) for Molumby (86).

CHINA: Q Guo; L Tong, Y Li, W Wu, J Wen (Jing Guo, 70 mins); B Chen, D Yao, C Huang, W Lei (Hui Cheng, 80 mins); L Lin, H Shan.

Referee: M Carvalho Nobre (Por).

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