St Johnston’s Tyler Toland lined out for the Republic of Ireland Women’s Under-17s in a 2-2 with Switzerland in the first of two friendly games in Castellon, Spain.
Midfielder Toland played the full game as Dave Bell’s side bounced back from 2-0 down to score through a Carla McManus penalty in the 67th minute and a Heather Payne equaliser five minutes later.
The fixtures in Spain this week will help the Irish girls prepare for their UEFA Elite Qualifying Round test in March when they travel to Serbia to face the hosts, Hungary and Scotland vying to secure a place in this summer’s finals in the Czech Republic.
Switzerland took the lead on the stroke of half-time after an Irish pass was intercepted in midfield and the Swiss capitalised with a clever through pass that sent Jost Jael through to fire home.
The Irish suffered a blow when they went 2-0 down in the 61st minute but Bell was delighted with the resolve his side showed to turn their fortunes around and secure a draw.
After having a penalty appeal for a challenge on Heather Payne dismissed the Irish were awarded a spot-kick in the 67th minute after a Swiss defender was penalised for hand-ball and Carla McManus stepped up to shoot home from the spot-kick.
An excellent flowing move was finished off by Payne in the 72nd minute to seal the draw and with such a young group of players in the squad Bell believes it augurs well for the future.
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