USA third in 2011 Milk Cup

[Zip_ME87]

2011 Milk Cup Elite

Scroll to the bottom

FOR the second year in a row Northern Ireland have fallen short of Milk Cup glory at the final hurdle.

Steve Beaglehole’s boys pushed Denmark all the way in last night’s final but were unable to recover from conceding an early Mark Gundelach goal as the Danes ran out 1-0 winners.

Winning Denmark coach Morten Wieghorst said: “I’m delighted for the boys, they are a group who were only brought together 10 days ago.

“This is a big achievement because it is the first time we’ve won it, so I am delighted with the result.

“It has been a tremendous week and we have enjoyed our stay in Northern Ireland very much the, local people welcomed us and the team has done well.

“It is a tough schedule this week , we saw some tired legs out there but they have made history. A few of the boys have surprised me and some of them aren’t far away at all.”

Denmark, coached by former Celtic favourite and international Morten Wieghorst, looked strong and composed against Northern in the first meeting between the sides on Monday night.

However, Northern Ireland worked them all the way at the Ballymena Showgrounds last night but just came up short with their final ball and simply not able to work Danish enough goalkeeper Jensen enough.

The first opportunity of the game was when a James Knowles corner eventually found its way to Newcastle United youngster Lee Toland and his dipping effort from just outside the box was turned away by goalkeeper well by goalkeeper Jensen

Eleven minutes into the game and Denmark opened the goalscoring with their first real foray into the Northern Ireland penalty area, coming through a piece of good fortune and crisp finish from Mark Gundelach.

The broke kindly into the midfielder’s path off Casper Sloth’s right boot and the Gundelach produced a powerful drive across Wayne Drummond and into the bottom left hand corner.

Five minutes later and Liam McAlinden came within a whisker of drawing the sides level.

Matthew Ball, scorer against Denmark and Georgia earlier in the week, slipped an inviting pass into the path of McAlinden and he cut the ball just inches wide of David Jensen’s far post.

Caolan Lavery then brought a good save from Jensen as Beaglehole’s side continued to look the more threatening.

With 30 minutes on the clock James Knowles had time and space to run into, with Lavery an option to his right, however he chose to go himself an dragged his effort well wide from a central position, 25 yards from goal.

Three minutes later Jeff Mensah – a goalscorer in Monday night’s 1-1 draw between the nations – flashed an effort over from 20 yards after a driving run from just inside the Northern Ireland half.

Former Glentoran goalkeeper Drummond kept his side in the game eight minutes before the break, to prevent Gundelach doubling his and Denmark’s tally.

Gunderlanch drove past Jordan Watson and took aim from a similar position in which he scored the opener only for Drummond to bat the ball away to safety.

Northern Ireland boss Steve Beaglehole made a brave move with four changes at the break in an attempt to find a way back into the game.

It was one of those substitutes Neil Dougan, who picked up McAlinden’s blocked slot and brought a point blank save from Jensen in the Denmark goal.

Another sub Andrew Mitchell glanced a header just wide as the home side continued to rack up the half chances but were unable to carve a genuine opportunity for themselves.

With eight minutes left however Michael McLellan flicked on a cross from the left and fell into the path of Ryan McLaughlin.

However the Liverpool youngster struck the ball well over the bar from a tight angle.

McLellan’s night was to end five minutes from time when he reacted off the ball to shove Soren Henriksen to the ground.

It was 10men apiece four mintues later when Jonas Knudsen picked up his second yellow card of the game for a foul on Dougan, as the midfielder sprinted down the flank.

Denmark comfortable held out for the victory however and the last action of the night was Lee Toland flashing a free-kick well over the bar from just outside the angle of the box – summing Northern Ireland’s fortunes on the night.

Elsewhere in the section, last year’s winners USA secured third place with a 2-1 win over Georgia at the Riada Stadium.

Taking home the wooden spoon were Israel who lost out on penalties on Mexico in Friday’s first Elite outing.

Friday’s Elite Results:

Mexico 0 Israel 0 (Mexico win 4-3 on pens), USA 2 Georgia 1

Final: Northern Ireland 0 Denmark 1

EDIT: Soccer by Ives result description

Jordan McCrary and Jerome Kiesewetter each scored, as the United States Under-18 national team defeated Georgia, 2-1, to capture third place at the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.

McCrary scored off of a Jose Villarreal free kick in the 39th minute, and Kiesewetter finished off an Omar Salgado cross in the 58th for the eventual game-winning tally.

The United States went 2-0-1 in the Milk Cup, defeating Israel and drawing with Mexico prior to Friday's victory. Kiesewetter was the team's leading scorer, notching two goals in the tournament. Salgado, McCrary and Victor Pineda scored the other goals for the United States.