Rocco Vata double helps Ireland maintain perfect Euro qualifier start

Republic of Ireland 3 (Vata 8, 45+2, Armstrong 65) San Marino 0

A brace of goals from Celtic hotshot Rocco Vata saw the Republic of Ireland under-21s maintain their perfect start to European qualifying against San Marino.

The Boys in Green struggled to find their rhythm for long spells but Vata’s first-half goals helped to settle any nerves before Sinclair Armstrong added a third.

Vata, whose dad Rudi also played for the Glasgow giants and captained Albania, was the standout player. He created plenty more chances for his teammates as he switched between either wing.

Jim Crawford rotated his squad by giving first competitive starts to five players in front of a crowd of 3,826 at Turner’s Cross that included senior boss Stephen Kenny.

Among the new faces were senior debutant Armstrong, wingers Vata and Tony Springett, and defenders James Abankwah and James Furlong. The suspended Seán Roughan and injured Johnny Kenny were enforced absentees.

The new wingers brought plenty of energy against a San Marino side that sat in a permanent deep-lying defensive wall.

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It was no surprise given the away side’s consistent struggles to score a goal never mind win a match. They haven’t experienced victory at this level in 10 years and their last goal came all the way back in 2017.

The Irish defence was never troubled, with Vata’s Celtic teammate Bosun Lawal showing an impressive range of passing from centre-back, while hometown hero Matt Healy controlled the game from midfield.

Ireland