Canada was eliminated from the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Friday after a grueling penalty shootout against debutant Ireland in the round of 32. The Irish secured a 9-8 victory in the shootout, with ‘keeper Alex Noonan making a crucial save against Canadian defender Elijah Roche.
The match was tied 1-1 late into the game, forcing the game into penalties. Despite a valiant effort by both teams, it was ultimately Noonan’s heroics that sealed the win for Ireland. Canada’s Jonathan Ransom also made key saves, keeping his team in the game momentarily.
The shootout saw several players from both sides stepping up to take penalties. Notable scorers for Canada included Marius Aiyenero, Sergei Kozlovskiy, and Van Parker, while Ireland’s Michael Noonan, Finn Sherlock, and Jaden Umeh found the back of the net.
Canada’s exit marked the end of a breakthrough tournament performance, as they had previously struggled with a winless record in eight appearances. Ireland, on the other hand, advanced to face Switzerland in the round of 16 after defeating Egypt 3-1.
In a dramatic turn of events, Kozlovskiy equalized for Canada in the 85th minute with a stunning goal, showcasing his talent on the field. The young defender, who recently joined Atletico Ottawa, made a significant impact in his tournament debut.
Despite their loss, Canada put up a strong fight throughout the competition, securing their spot in the knockout round. Ireland’s journey to the World Cup was also challenging, narrowly advancing through the European qualifying rounds.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup continues, with exciting matches ahead as teams compete for the prestigious title.