The contest was over by the break with Denmark ahead at the Niko Dovana Stadium in Durres with a brace from Mikel Kruger-Johnsen and further goals from Oscar Schwartau and Nikolaj Juul-Sandberg.
This was Northern Ireland’s first game in the qualifying round for U19 Euro 2025 with Group 11 mini tournament hosts Albania and Israel included in their section.
The top two teams in 13 groups and the best third-placed team will join top seeds Portugal in the elite round next spring. The seven elite round group winners will join hosts Romania at the Finals next summer.
Gareth McAuley’s side expected a tough assignment, and the Danes showed their quality.
Only eight players who were in the 20-strong Northern Ireland panel for Uefa U19 Euro 2024 in July remain in McAuley’s squad, although several players who played in the home tournament are no longer eligible to feature for the Under-19s.
Six of those eight players — goalkeeper Mason Munn, defenders Josh Briggs and Tom Atcheson, midfielders Aodhan Doherty and Blaine McClure plus striker Braiden Graham — started the game. The other two, midfielders Jack Doherty and Dylan Stitt, were among the replacements.
Also included in the starting line-up was Celtic midfielder Francis Turley, who was withdrawn from the Under-19 Euros on the eve of the summer tournament to be part of the Celtic first team’s pre-season tour to the USA.
The Danes showed their attacking intent from early on and Northern Ireland struggled to contain them.
Schwartau poked a shot wide before dangerous frontman Kruger-Johnsen broke the deadlock on 18 minutes.
Just three minutes later Schwartau made it 2-0 before Kruger-Johnsen extended the lead further on 26 minutes.
Kruger-Johnsen was among the goals for Denmark when they competed in the U19 Euros back in the summer.
On 32 minutes midfielder Juul-Sandberg made it 4-0 as Denmark kept surging forward.
In the second-half Northern Ireland were able to prevent further damage.
Danish keeper Oscar Buur saved efforts from substitutes Harry Lynch and Doherty in quick succession, while Munn kept out an attempt by Kruger-Johnsen before Buur saved an effort from Doherty.
McAuley’s men came more into the contest but without penetrating a resilient Danish defence.
In the closing stages Denmark right wing-back Hjalte Bidstrup fired a shot wide.
Northern Ireland’s U19s will meet Israel at the Niko Dovana Stadium in Durres on Saturday (11.00am), while their final game in the group is next Tuesday when they are scheduled to play the Albanians at the Elbasan Arena (2.00pm).
Northern Ireland: Munn, Devine, Haughey, Briggs, Atcheson, Burnside, Brannigan, McClure, Graham, A Doherty, Turley. Substitutes: (used) J Doherty, Lynch, McGovern, Orr, Corrigan; (unused) Metcalf (GK), Hawthorne, O’Neill, Stitt.
Denmark: Buur, Bidstrup, Hansen, Carstensen, Kristensen, Olsson, Janssen, Juul-Sandberg, Kruger-Johnsen, Themsen, Schwartau. Substitutes: (used) Jensen, Berthelsen, Larsen, Hojer; (unused) Martin (GK), Hogsberg, Nielsen, Bodker, Walker.
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Publish date : 2024-11-13 08:59:00
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