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Northern Ireland won 3-0 against Ukraine in Nations League Group B2 with two goals from Ciaron Brown and one from Isaac Price, moving top of the group with seven points. Teenager Ceadach O'Neill also committed to Northern Ireland after making his fourth appearance.
Northern Ireland stunned Ukraine 3-0 in Nations League Group B2 on Friday at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho in Trnava, Slovakia, with Ciaron Brown scoring his first two international goals.
Brown scores first two international goals
The win puts Northern Ireland clear at the top of the group with seven points from three games, still yet to concede ahead of Monday's clash with Georgia in Belfast. Brown, the only player in Michael O'Neill's starting line-up over the age of 24, opened the scoring in the 9th minute.
The 28-year-old Oxford defender prodded home from close range after Ruairi McConville headed a corner back across goal, earning his 33rd cap despite the desperate efforts of Illia Zabarnyi on the line. Isaac Price doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, firing in Morrison's cross at the back post. It was Price's 11th international goal, but his first since last September's 3-1 loss to Germany in Cologne, having gone 10 appearances without finding the net.
Brown's second goal came in bizarre fashion just after the hour. He flicked on Pierce Charles' free-kick from inside the Northern Ireland half, and Ukraine goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk let the bouncing ball through his legs. It was Brown's second goal of the game and sealed the emphatic win. Ukraine, ranked 37 places above Northern Ireland, struggled to break down a resilient Northern Ireland defence.
Despite dominating possession, the hosts created few clear chances. Georgiy Sudakov had an early effort saved by Charles, and Mykola Matviyenko threatened after the restart, but Ukraine rarely looked like getting back into the game. Substitute Matvii Ponomarenko hit the outside of the post late on, and Charles clawed away a powerful strike from Eduard Sarapii. Talented teenager Ceadach O'Neill has been tied to Northern Ireland for good after making his fourth appearance.
Teenager Ceadach O'Neill committed to Northern Ireland
The Derry native had been approached by the Football Association of Ireland to switch his international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland. O'Neill was permitted to make one official transfer before this window, but after a fourth cap, he will continue to play for Northern Ireland. The Arsenal teenager's commitment is a significant boost for Northern Ireland. Michael O'Neill made three changes from Monday's goalless draw against Hungary.
Ethan Galbraith and Callum Marshall were absent for personal reasons, while Justin Devenny and Patrick Kelly dropped out. Brodie Spencer, Terry Devlin and Kieran Morrison came in, helping to lower the average age to a flat 22. This was Northern Ireland's youngest post-war starting eleven. The 19-year-old Kieran Morrison, on loan at Sheffield Wednesday from Liverpool, made his first competitive start and provided an assist for Price's goal.
Morrison makes competitive start for Northern Ireland
Morrison floated a corner to the back post where Ruairi McConville headed it back for Brown to prod home, and his first-time ball into the box was met powerfully by Price at the back post. This was Northern Ireland's first competitive meeting with Ukraine since their famous 2-0 win at Euro 2016. The performance will have fans believing a major tournament beckons for this new generation.
Ukraine bossed the ball but struggled to break down Northern Ireland, sporting 10 changes for a second straight match. The result leaves Ukraine's campaign in trouble, while Northern Ireland's momentum continues to build.
IrishTimesSport
The42_ie:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Northern Ireland Ukraine Nations League Ciaron Brown Ceadach O’Neill Michael O’Neill Trnava Ceadach O'neill
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