Unbeaten Ireland and Serbia progress
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Article summary
The Republic of Ireland and hosts Serbia advanced from qualifying round Group 4 unbeaten but Romania must wait to see if they will join them in the next stage.
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![Dearbhaile Beirne scores for Ireland in their 1-1 draw with Serbia Dearbhaile Beirne scores for Ireland in their 1-1 draw with Serbia](https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0252-0ce43be536cf-45238c6ed74a-1000/format/wide1/dearbhaile_beirne_scores_for_ireland_in_their_1-1_draw_with_serbia.jpeg?imwidth=158)
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The Republic of Ireland and hosts Serbia are through to the UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship elite round after completing qualifying round Group 4 unbeaten.
- Ireland, yet to qualify since reaching the 2010 final, beat Lithuania 2-0, Sarah McKevitt and Jamie Finn getting the goals among 30 chances, 12 on target.
- Marija Kovačević scored with 15 minutes left to ensure Serbia held Romania 1-1 after Milana Golubović's early own goal.
- Ireland made sure of an elite round spot by defeating Romania 2-0 courtesy of Niamh Farrelly and McKevitt
- Serbia moved into second position, overcoming Lithuania 4-1 though only after Allegra Poljak broke the deadlock on 55 minutes.
- Lijana Gedminaitė levelled seven minutes later but substitutes Milana Knežević and Teodora Burkert restored Serbia's advantage before Poljak's clincher.
- Ireland could not make it three wins out of three against Serbia, with Kovačević cancelling out McKevitt's second of the mini-tournament to earn the hosts a 1-1 draw and second spot.
- "We are very pleased," said Ireland coach David Connell. "We had tough games against quality opponents. We go home happy and looking forward to the upcoming draw."
- Romania came third in the group after Dariana Indrei struck a hat-trick as they recovered from 1-0 and 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Lithuania.
Through to elite round
Group 2: Finland, Poland
Group 3: Switzerland, Hungary
Group 4: Republic of Ireland, Serbia
Group 5: Czech Republic, Austria
Group 6: Sweden, Scotland
Group 7: Belgium, Belarus
Group 8: Denmark, Turkey
Group 9: Italy, Norway
Bye: Germany (holders), France, Spain
TBC: 5 more
Draw: 19 November, involving 24 teams, of whom seven will join hosts Iceland in the finals.