Republic of Ireland 4
Panama 1
Cork’s own Jaden Umeh got the opener as the Republic of Ireland U17s kickstarted their World Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Panama in Doha on Wednesday afternoon.
The striker who came through at Ringmahon Rangers opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a close ranger header.
The result means it’s a perfect start for Cork coaches Colin O’Brien and John Cotter with the U17s ahead of upcoming group games against Uzbekistan and Paraguay.
The three points will go a long way to possible qualification to the Round of 32 as three teams can get out of a group, with one going through amongst the best third placed teams in the competition.
Right now, the Boys in Green are celebrating after a performance that blew Panama away in the heat.
Their first goal came from a Rory Finneran corner that Umeh knocked in passed Adamir Aparicio.
Kian McMahon Brown doubled their advantage by finishing a well worked move put together by Ramon Martos and Max Kovalevskis.
The midfielder swing his right leg at the ball on that occasion and it was 2-0 in the 35th minute.
Jaden Umeh of Republic of Ireland has a header on goal during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Group J match between Panama and Republic of Ireland at Aspire Zone in Doha, Qatar. Photo by Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile
The Boys in Green led at the break and the second half effectively began with a Michael Noonan header from close range that Aparicio had no chance of getting to.
Panama were then awarded a penalty and the decision was over turned by the officials after a quick review.
Kovalevskis got the fourth for Ireland and Moises Richards replied late on, but it was too little too late.
Republic of Ireland: Alex Noonan; Oisin McDonagh, Vinnie Leonard, Ryan Butler, Ade Solanke; Rory Finneran, Kian McMahon-Brown, Ramon Martos; Michael Noonan, Jaden Umeh, Max Kovalevskis.
Subs: Grady McDonnell for McMahon-Brown (63);Victor Ozhianvuna for Kovalevskis (63), Sean Spaight for Martos (78), Gavin McAteer for Solanke (78), Brody Lee for Umeh (89).
Panama: Adamir Aparicio; Anthony Ramos, Joseph Pacheco, Shayron Stewart, Hector Brias; Pablo Aranda, Estevis Lopez; Gerson Gordon, Jossimar Insturain, Edgardo Tovares; Moises Richards.
Subs: Angel James for Tovares (HT); Adrian Olivardia for Aranda (HT), Abraham Salinas for Gordon (73), Renso Reyes for Stewart (85).
Referee: Yender Herrera (Venezuelan)
