Ivory Coast 2 Rep of Ireland 2
Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliot scored his third goal in two games to force a late draw with the Ivory Coast in Group E of the World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates this afternoon.
The Ivory Coast started superbly and forced Gerry Smith's men onto the back foot from the first whistle. Their pressure soon paid off as they took the lead 13 minutes in. Antonin Koutouan played a super ball through to Adolf Tohoua but he was felled in the box by John Fitzgerald. Arouna Kone put away the penalty.
But credit the Republic of Ireland as they remained composed and snatched a equaliser nine minutes before the break. David Bell's free kick, flicked on by Fitzgerald, was met by Longford Town's Stephen Paisley and he powerfully headed the ball past Ivory Coast keeper Daniel Yeboah.
The Africans edged back in front on 67 minutes when Kone raced onto Andre Saki's header to fire past Wayne Henderson for his second of the game. But the Republic snatched the draw when Manchester City striker Paisley, two goal hero against Saudi Arabia on Saturday, tucked home Willo Flood's precise cross from the right 16 minutes from time.
Both sides now have four points and identical goals for and against in Group E. Their other group opponents, Saudi Arabia and Mexico, play later this afternoon while the Republic's next game is against the latter on Saturday.