Post by Taxigirl on Apr 29, 2004 12:25:34 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/republic_of_ireland/3664799.stm
Blackburn defender John Fitzgerald scored a last minute equaliser as the Republic of Ireland's under-21s came from two down against Poland.
Ireland's nine-match unbeaten run was in danger after goals from twin brothers Pawel and Piotr Brozek.
But Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott slotted home from the edge of the box to pull one back.
And Fitzgerald was the last-gasp hero as he fired home from a rebound after Elliott's initial shot was saved.
The Poles - who are in England's World Cup qualifying group - had been hoping for revenge after crashing 5-1 to the Irish last August.
In a match watched by England Under-21s coach David Platt, Pawel Brozek struck first for the hosts after 21 minutes.
Poland captain Antoni Lukasiewicz's long ball over the top into the left channel was taken down nicely by Pawel Brozek.
He held off debutant Paddy McCarthy before slotting the ball through Wayne Henderson's legs at the near post.
He then set up his brother Piotr for what seemed to be the killer second goal eight minutes after the break.
Unbeaten run
After 66 minutes, Henderson prevented Ireland from falling further behind with a fine block to deny substitute Pawel Mielniczek.
That proved a turning point as the visitors went straight up field and pulled a goal back through Elliott - scorer of a hat-trick in the wide-margin win in Gdansk last time.
Ireland never gave up and eventually grabbed their equaliser.
Sunderland's Sean Thornton floated in a deep free-kick to the left-hand post, Fitzgerald headed the ball down, and Elliott's shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.
But Fitzgerald was on hand to rifle home the rebound and extend their unbeaten run to 10 games.
Blackburn defender John Fitzgerald scored a last minute equaliser as the Republic of Ireland's under-21s came from two down against Poland.
Ireland's nine-match unbeaten run was in danger after goals from twin brothers Pawel and Piotr Brozek.
But Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott slotted home from the edge of the box to pull one back.
And Fitzgerald was the last-gasp hero as he fired home from a rebound after Elliott's initial shot was saved.
The Poles - who are in England's World Cup qualifying group - had been hoping for revenge after crashing 5-1 to the Irish last August.
In a match watched by England Under-21s coach David Platt, Pawel Brozek struck first for the hosts after 21 minutes.
Poland captain Antoni Lukasiewicz's long ball over the top into the left channel was taken down nicely by Pawel Brozek.
He held off debutant Paddy McCarthy before slotting the ball through Wayne Henderson's legs at the near post.
He then set up his brother Piotr for what seemed to be the killer second goal eight minutes after the break.
Unbeaten run
After 66 minutes, Henderson prevented Ireland from falling further behind with a fine block to deny substitute Pawel Mielniczek.
That proved a turning point as the visitors went straight up field and pulled a goal back through Elliott - scorer of a hat-trick in the wide-margin win in Gdansk last time.
Ireland never gave up and eventually grabbed their equaliser.
Sunderland's Sean Thornton floated in a deep free-kick to the left-hand post, Fitzgerald headed the ball down, and Elliott's shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.
But Fitzgerald was on hand to rifle home the rebound and extend their unbeaten run to 10 games.