Republic of Ireland 0 Italy 2:UNDER-21s: The Republic of Ireland's interest in the Toulon Festival faded further last night as poor concentration was again punished as they slumped to a second defeat. Both goals came within the space of a minute, early in the second half, both scored by Allessandro Pellicori, despite a far better performance by Ireland than their 2-0 defeat to Japan on Tuesday.
Despite Ireland looking much better, thanks to five changes and the switch to a 4-4-2 formation, it was the Italians who should have stolen the lead after 10 minutes.
A loose pass from left back Paul Tierney ran for Daniele Martinelli who sent over a good ball from the left with Joe Murphy having to make a superb double save. The Irish goalkeeper showed his alertness to initially get down well to parry Marco Ferro's header and then stop Pellicori's follow-up.
Ireland improved as Andy Reid scampered in behind the Italian defence but his shot went wide. Reid's touch then gave Graham Barrett a chance; but, off balance, his volley was well wide. Italy carved out the second real opening of the match two minutes before the break with Murphy again having to make a fine save from Pellicori.
But it all went horribly wrong for Ireland on 46 minute when Pellicori was allowed to head home the opening goal from a corner. Irish captain Jim Goodwin was left red faced less than a minute later as his back-pass was intercepted by the alert Pellicori who ran in to drill the ball home. Reid almost got Ireland back into the match five minutes later but Vitangelo Spadavecchia pushed his shot onto a post.
Japan beat South Africa 3-0 in last night's other group E game to take a firm lead in the standings. Ireland meet the South Africans in Frejus on Monday night.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Murphy (Tranmere Rovers); S Byrne (West Ham Utd); Goodwin (Celtic); C Byrne (Sunderland), Tierney (Manchester Utd); Cash (Nottingham Forest), Miller (Celtic), Gamble (Reading), Keane (Preston); Barrett (Arsenal), Reid (Nottingham Forest). Sub: Daly (Stockport County) for Reid (75 mins).
ITALY: Spadavecchia; Feri, Barzagli, Minelli, Martinelli; Maggio, Palambo, Zanetti, Balzaretti; Ferro, Pellicori. Subs: Pepe for Ferro, Mancinelli for Martinelli (both half-time); Berrettoni for Pellicori (66 mins).
Referee: M Pereira Gomez (Portugal)
