Ireland’s U-21 soccer team recorded an impressive 3-0 win over the Netherlands in a friendly at Tallaght Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Two first-half goals from Milwall’s Aidan O’Brien and a second-half penalty from Wolves player Anthony Forde sank the experimental Dutch team on a crisp but cold day in south Dublin.
The friendly was in preparation for the forthcoming European U-21 championships that begins with an away tie to the Faroe Islands in August.
Manager Noel King had drafted in a number of new recruits such as Capitol One Cup finalist Bradford’s Carl McHugh, Derrick Williams, Sean McDermott – who plays for Norwegian club Sandnes Ulf and Kane Ferdinand, a cousin of Manchester United player Rio, Les and Anton.
Ferdinand plays for Peterborough and has made 18 first-team appearances in the Football League Championship this season. The 20 year old qualifies to play for Ireland through his Irish father and can play in either midfield or central defence.
Ireland team: A McCarey; S McGinty, K Ferdinand, S Duffy, M Doherty, D Williams, C Reilly, S Murray, A Forde, S Carruthers, A O’Brien
Netherlands team: S Van der Lei, N Bakker, T Letschert, M Te Wierik, T Van de Pavert, K Jansen, L Slagveer, H Ziyech, J Drost, S Elbers, A Schalk
