Ireland 0 – Russia 1

Ireland’s Men’s Football team were defeated in the quarter-finals of the World University Games in Napoli last night as a goal from a penalty by Nikita Salamatov would prove decisive to send Russia into the semi-finals while Ireland now meet Ukraine in the 5th – 8th place play offs.

Russia put the press on Ireland right from the off and were soon rewarded as Anthony McAlavey headed a ball back towards his own goal and as Robert Slevin tried to clear the ball came off his arm and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Nikita Salamatov fired home the penalty to give the Russian’s the lead.

Anthony McAlavey had Ireland’s best opportunity in the opening half when his flick on header producing a superb save from Viacheslav Grigorian in the Russian goal, as his side lead 1-0 at the break.

In the second half Ireland pushed hard for a goal but found clear cut chances few and far between Anthony McAlavey and Cillian Duffy both going close to restoring parity. With almost 30 minutes left Russia were reduced to ten men as they had a man sent off.
Ireland were unable to fashion any more clearcut chances and the frustrations showed as Sean McSweeney was given a red card for dissent with five minutes remaining.

Ireland: David Coffey (Gavin Sheridan 75), Maurice Nugent, Joe Manley, Robert Slevin, Ronan Young, Anthony McAlavey (Shane Daly-Butz 66), Dean Kelly, David Hurley, Sean McSweeney, Cillian Duffy (Tristian Noack-Hofmann 80), Alan O’Sullivan (Simon Falvey 77)