Irish eyes smiling at the Fifa U-17s World Cup following shoot-out win over Canada

The Republic of Ireland will take on Switzerland in the last 16 of the Fifa U-17s World Cup following a dramatic 9-8 win over Canada on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra-time in Doha.

Alex Noonan would prove to be the hero, having saved two penalties in the shootout. Michael Noonan had given Ireland the lead after 65 minutes when he broke through on goal and finished past Jonathan Ransom.

But Canada responded through their captain Sergei Kozlovskiy five minutes from time when his well hit strike took a deflection and found the Ireland corner.

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That goal sent the game to penalties and after both teams successfully converted eight penalty Alex Noonan stopped Elijah Roche’s penalty to set up a Last 16 clash with Switzerland.

Finn Harps trio Gavin McAteer from Milford, Donegal Town’s Josh Cullen and Corey Sheridan of Ballyshannon were on the bench for the Irish side.

In a game of few chances Ireland created the better of the exchanges. The breakthrough would come mid-way in the second half. A long ball by Vinnie Leonard caught Josh Nteziryayo and as he attempted to deal with it Michael Noonan nicked ahead of the defender before applying the finish.

Umeh almost added a second when he was found free inside the box but his effort again was stopped by Ransom.

Canada still carried a threat and Alex Noonan produced a stunning save from Sahil Deo after the full back caught his effort sweetly but the goalkeeper showed an incredible reach to deny.

But shortly after that save Canada drew level. A long throw-in wasn’t dealt with and it came out to Kozlovskiy whose drive at goal took a slight deflection but went beyond Noonan for 1-1. The game would end up all square meaning it went to penalties.

Michael Noonan was successful with his first kick, but Canada’s first spot kick was saved by Alex Noonan. There after all of Ireland’s penalties were successful until Oisin McDonagh saw his kick saved. It would go to sudden death and Ryan Butler would score Ireland’s 9th successful penalty meaning Roche had to score but he couldn’t find a way past the Irish keeper as Colin O’Brien’s team advanced to the next round on Tuesday against Switzerland at 1pm Irish time.

Switzerland defeated Egypt 3-1 in the last 32, following on from 3-1 and 4-1 victories over Mexico and the Ivory Coast in the opening group stage, either side of a -0- draw against South Korea.

Ireland drew 0-0 with Paraguay with McAteer and Cullen in the starting team for top spot in their group, after a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan and a 4-1 success against Panama.

Ireland: A. Noonan, Butler, McDonagh, Leonard, Solanke (Sherlock, 82’), Finneran (C), Martos (McMahon-Brown, 71’), McDonnell, Umeh, Ozhianvuna, M Noonan.

Canada: Ransom, Deo, Nteziryayo, Chukwu (C) (Kozlovskiy, 76’), Roche, Judelson, Khan, Fortier (Sadek, 76’), Jimoh (Selemani, 62’), Evans (Aiyenero, 62’), Parker.