Sad send-off for Ireland U-20s

Republic of Ireland U20 0 Paraguay U20 1

Ireland travel to the United Arab Emirates today ahead of the big kick off against Saudi Arabia on Saturday week. Manager Gerry Smith used 19 of his 20-man squad as Ireland played some wonderful controlled football without ever really testing Paraguay's goalkeeper while the visitors took advantage of one of their few opportunities to end Smith's winning start as manager.

It looked ominous for Ireland in the 14th minute when only a combination of Stephen Capper and John Fitzgerald stopped Nelson Romero from getting a strike in when put through on goal, and again in the 26th minute when Paraguay made sure with a goal. A one-two between Erwin Avalos and Julio dos Santos put Avalos through on goal and he drew Wayne Henderson before slipping the ball across the face of goal for Romero to slide home.