U21 Qualifying round
06 June 2009 19:00 (local time) - Gundadalur, Tórshavn
Faroese U-21 downed by
impressive Rumania
Faroe Islands U21 – Rumania U21 0-4 (0-2)
0-1 Raul Andrei Rusescu
0-2 Constantin M. Gingioveanu
0-3 Raul Andrei Rusescu
0-4 Andrei Gabriel Torje
The Faroese Under-21 team opened their campaign with a 4-0 loss to a very strong looking Rumania-side that played some very attractive football.
Rumania created three good chances with the first three minutes. A diagonal shot from Raul Andrei Rusescu went across the face of goal while Andrei Gabriel Torje fired just over the bar from within the penalty area the minute after. Moments later a Rumanian header also went very close.
But the Faroes also went close in the opening minutes when defender Rógvi Poulsen headed narrowly wide. But this was the Faroes’ only real opportunity of the entire match.
Rumania was constantly in posession and kept creating opportunities.
Some 10 minutes into the match, Andrei Gabriel Torje nearly gave Rumania the lead, but his direct free kick rattled the crossbar.
But only a couple of minutes later, Rumania were at it again, and this time the luck had run out for the Faroese team when Rusescu’s fine shot from 22 metres went in off the crossbar. Defence was much too hesitant allowing Rusescu to shoot although, and maybe the goalkeeper didn’t look too good either.
Rumania doubled their lead on 36 minutes. A 50 metre diagonal pass found Constantin M. Gingioveanu on the right hand side in the penalty area. Gingioveanu got past his defender with a simple body feint and then place the ball around the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Rumania further increased their lead 10 minutes into the second half when Torje on the left with the outside of his foot curled his pass across to Rusescu at the far post, and he easily made it 3-0.
Around the hour-mark the Faroese team was reduced to 10 men when goalkeeper Trygvi Askham was sent off for handling outside the area. Askham had been let down by right back Pætur Jørgensen who’s back-pass with the head didn’t work out as planned as he mishit the ball, and this allowed Torje to get clear with the keeper who stopped Torje’s lob with his arm outside the area.
Four minutes later, Rumania went 4-0 up when they countered after a Faroese corner. A long ball was played up-field to Torje who got clear in the penalty area to get an easy finish.
The match was played on Gundadalur’s artificial pitch in Tórshavn.
The Faroe Islands Under-21 are in action already on Tuesday again when they take on Russia.
Group 1 results and table
U21 Qualifying round
09 June 2009 19:00 (local time) - Gundadalur, Tórshavn
Faroe Islands stun Russia!
Faroe Islands U21 – Russia U21 1-0 (1-0)
52 seconds: 1-0 Jóan Símun Edmundsson
Faroe Islands U21 shock Russia with a first minute goal and keep tight for the remaining 89 minutes.
But it could so easily have been different as Russia were just a whisker from taking the lead after only 18 seconds when Alexander Prudnikov got a clear sight of the Faroese goal, but his shot went just wide of the upright.
However, only 34 seconds later, the Faroe Islands were leading 1-0 instead! Jóhan Ellingsgaard on the right was in a tangle with the Russian defender, got clear of him, made a perfect cross in front of goal where Jóan Símun Edmundsson headed the ball into the top left corner.
The Russian looked nervous after this and Páll Klettskarð nearly double the lead 3 minutes later, but his shot from the edge of the penalty area went just wide of goal.
The Russians rarely really bothered the Faroese goal in the first half. Midway through the half, Faroese goalkeeper Jóan Pauli Jakobsen had some problems with a long range effort from Russia as he reacted a bit slowly, but in the end he made a fine diving save as he pushed the shot around the post for a corner.
In the second half, Russia went close twice within the first 10 minutes, but Jakobsen in the Faroese goal made a couple of incredible saves to deny the Russians.
The Faroes also went extremely close when centre-back Rógvi Holm with the inside of the foot steered the ball just wide of the Russian goal in connection with a freekick.
Midway through the half, the ball bounced twice on the surface of the Faroese crossbar before it was cleared to safety.
Towards the end, Russia nearly forced an equalizer, but Jóan Pauli Jakobsen in the Faroese goal made yet another outstanding save when he dive to his left to keep Russia at bay once more.
- An incredible result for the Faroese team after an incredible fight where all the Faroese players played to their very best abilities.
Group 1 results and table
U21 Qualifying round
05 September 2009 15:00 (local time) - Gundadalur, Tórshavn
Impressive Faroes draw with Moldavia
Faroe Islands - Moldavia 1-1 (1-1)
0-1 Eugen Sidorenco 23'
1-1 Kristoffur Jakobsen 35'
The Faroese Under 21 team keeps impressing; this time with a 1-1 draw with Moldavia.
The first half was an even affair with few scoring opportunities.
23 minutes through the match Moldavia took the lead when Alexandr Pascenco got to the byline and made a flat cross in front of goal where Eugen Sidorenco poked home.
But the Faroe Islands equalized 12 minutes later when Christian Restorff Mouritsen’s brilliant through-ball played Kristoffur Jakobsen clear in the penalty area a bit to the left, and Jakobsen then coolly placed the ball around the advancing goalkeeper and into the goal inside the far post.
The Faroes had a slide edge for the first 25 minutes of the second half, but without creating clear-cut chances.
With a quarter of an hour to go, Faroese goalkeeper Jóan Pauli Jakobsen made a fine block with his legs when a deflected shot from close range threatened to go in.
With 8 minutes left of normal time, Moldavia was reduced to 10 men when Alexandru Grosu was sent off after a second bookable offence.
Two minutes later, the Faroese so nearly took the lead, but the Moldavian goalkeeper just manage to push Róaldur Jacobsen’s long range effort on to the crossbar.
The Faroes pushed on for the winner in the 3 minutes of added time, but Moldavia just managed to hold on to their point, clearing a dangerous corner.
After 3 games, the Faroe Islands have for points for 3 games. They intend to add more points to that tally on Wednesday when they take on Latvia, who lost 1-0 to Moldavia in August.
Group 1 results and table
U21 Qualifying round
09 September 2009 13:00 (local time) - Gundadalur, Tórshavn
Latvia score after 38 seconds to win 3-1
Faroe Islands - Latvia 1-3 (1-3)
0-1 Edgar Gauracs 1'
0-2 Edgar Gauracs 20'
1-2 Rógvi Poulsen 38'
1-3 Edgar Gauracs 42'
After their last two impressive matches where they beat Russia 1-0 in June and drew 1-1 with Moldavia on Saturday, the Faroese under-21 team suffered a 3-1 defeat to Latvia as they didn’t quite have the same edge as they had in the two previous matches, especially defensively.
Latvia took advantage of this after only 38 seconds of the match when Edgar Gauracs poked home at the far post after a free kick from the left hand side.
Latvia doubled their lead in the 20th minute when the Faroese defence again looked unfocused. A looping header didn’t look too dangerous at first, but in the end goalkeeper Jóan Pauli Jakobsen could only palm it onto the crossbar, and then Gauracs was ready to head in the rebound.
The Faroes then almost replied instantly when Chrtistian Restorff Mouritsen found Rógvi Poulsen in the penalty area, but Poulsen’s shot went just wide of the far post.
On 38 minutes Poulsen had another go at goal and this time the Latvian goalkeeper had no chance in stopping Poulsen’s long range effort as the ball was placed just inside the far post.
But the hope for a great fight back were dealt a blow just 4 minutes later when Gauracs completed his hat trick to restore Latvia’s two goal cushion. Indecisive defensive play on the left allowed a Latvian to get to the by-line to get the cross over to Gauracs for another easy finish.
Latvia were in full control during the second half and only in the dying moments did the Faroes threaten when Finnus Justinussen hammered the ball on the upright.
But although the defeat, the Faroese guys still proved that they can match most of their opponents if they are not in the absolute top, like Rumanina for example, who were a class better. But on the right day, there is no reason why the Faroese should not pull off another great result against teams like Latvia. But for that to happen, the defence must perform to their best ability.
The Faroes’ next 4 matches will be on away soil against Russia, Romania, Latvia and Andorra in October and November. On away soil, it will be mighty difficult to get points against the first three of those, but against Andorra it should absolutely be possible. Andorra has played 5 games and lost all of them and have conceded 16 goals and scored none themselves.
After the match against Andorra in November this year, the next match is not until August in 2010 when the Faroes take on Andorra at home before they finish the tournament away to Moldavia in September 2010.
Group 1 results and table
U21 Qualifying round
10 October 2009 16:00 (local time) - Arena Khimki - Moscow - Russia
Russia get their revenge
as they beat the Faroe Islands 2-0
Russia – Faroe Islands 2-0 (1-0)
1-0 Dmitri Ryzhov
2-0 Aleksandr Salughin
In their first away match of the current campaign, the Faroes lost 2-0 against Russia with the second goal coming in added time.
Russia opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Dmitri Ryzhov took advantage of a rebound after Faroese goalkeeper Hans Jørgensen had tipped an effort from Evgeni Balyaykin on the crossbar.
Later in the half Igor Gorbatenko rattled the Faroese crossbar, but this time the ball stayed out.
Generally Russia was the better team, but the Faroes had chances of their own, however. A first half free kick from Christin R. Mouritsen forced Russian goalkeeper Sergei Pesyakov to make an outstanding save and late in the second half, substitute and debutant Steinarr Kamban, who lives in Iceland, went close for an equalizer, but his finish was right on the Russain goalkeeper.
Instead it was Russia who made it 2-0 in added time when substitute Alan Gatagov set up another substitute, Aleksandr Salughin for an easy finish.
On Tuesday, the Faroe Islands visit Rumania who lost 5-1 away to Latvia on Friday. In June, Rumania beat the Faroes 4-0 in the Faroes’ first match of the campaign.
Group 1 results and table
U21 Qualifying round
13 October 2009 14:00 (local time) - Municipal - Botosani - Romania
Rumania go top after
beating the Faroe Islands 3-0
Rumania – Faroe Islands 3-0 (2-0)
1-0 Eric Bicfalvi 5’
2-0 Liviu Ganea 39’
3-0 Andrei Ionescu 58’
Rumania bounced back from their surprising 5-1 defeat to Latvia last Friday by beating the Faroe Islands 3-0 to go back to the top of the leaderboard in group 1.
Rumania took the lead within the first 5 minutes of the match with a terrific long range effort from Eric Bicfalvi.
The Faroe Islands were close to an equalizer 10 minutes later, but Rumania’s goalkeeper Cezar Lungu saved twice from Róaldur Jacobsen. Instead it was Rumanina who doubled their lead after 39 minutes when Liviu Ganea and Alexandru Ionita combined well, with Ganea firing the ball into the back of the net from within the penalty area.
Ganea then turned provider about a quarter of an hour into the second half when he set up Andrei Ionescu to make it 3-0.
The Faroe Islands play two more matces next month, both away games; first against Latvia on 18 November and then 3 days later against Andorra where the Faroes will be expecting points...
Group 1 results and table
U21 Qualifying round
18 November 2009 14:00 (local time) - Daugava - Riga - Latvia
Giant-killer Edmundsson downs Latvia
Latvia - Faroe Islands 0-1 (0-0)
0-1 Jóan Símun Edmundsson 55'
The Faroe Islands’ under-21 team continues to impress as they today got the better of Latvia. Jóan Símun Edmundsson scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes through the second half.
The Faroes had the better opportunities in the first half and nearly took the lead 10 minutes before the break, but a diving save from Latvian goalkeeper Kaspars Ikstens denied Øssur Dalbúð’s drive. Ikstens again had to be alert to deny Dalbúð a couple of minutes before the half time whistle.
Latvia started brightly in the second half, but failed to capitalize on their chances and instead fell behind after 55 minutes:
Forward Øssur Dalbúð stole the ball high up on the pitch and played it back to right back Jóhan Troest Davidsen who swung it in front of goal where Jóan Símun Edmundsson resolutely headed the ball into the back of the net. Edmundsson was also the one who scored in the sensational win over Russia in June – also with a header. He shortly ago returned to the Faroe Islands after a second training spell with Manchester City and is intended to go back to play a training match for City’s reserves in the near future.
Latvia pressed forward for the equalizer, but the strong Faroese defence stood firm. Except when Daniils Turkovs got clear of the defence, but he squandered Latvia’s best chance.
The Faroese team had been strengthened for the match with the return of right back Johan troest Davidsen who has been playing for the seniors during the last couple of years. Also midfielder Bogi Løkin has been recalled to the team after he also has been playing for the seniors, but he missed today’s match through injury.
On Saturday the Faroe Islands visit Andorra who have not recorded a single point so far and haven’t even scored a single goal. Should the Faroes win the match, they will overtake both Latvia and Moldavia in the standings and become no. 3 in the group. – However, Latvia will have a game in hand then, and Moldavia two.
Group 1 results and table
U21 Qualifying round
21 November 2009 15:00 (local time) - Estadi Comunal - Andorra La Vella - Andorra
Edmundsson’s strike
earns draw against Andorra
Andorra U21 – Faroe Islands U21 1-1 (0-1)
0-1 Jóan Símun Edmundsson
1-1 David Madeira
As Andorra previously had failed to earn a single point and moreover hadn’t even scored a single goal in their six matches, the hopes were high for another win for the Faroe Islands following their remarkable away victory over Latvia on Wednesday.
And things went according the Faroese script in the first half as the Faroes led 1-0 at half time. Central defender Pól Jóhannus Justinussen had come forward and set up Jóan Símun Edmundsson who finished clinically.
But Andorra followed another script and restored parity just six minutes through the second half with a goal from David Madeira to earn their first point of the campaign.
The Faroe Islands leapfrog Moldavia in the standings, but the Moldavians have two games in hand however.
There is no reason to hide that a draw against Andorra is a disappointment. If the Faroese U21 players can beat Russia and Latvia, a draw against Andorra is below par. And therefore there shouldn’t be made sensible excuses.
The Faroe Islands have to matches left to play in the group: the reverse against Andorra at home in August of 2010 and the following month away to Moldavia whom the Faroes drew with at home last summer.
Group 1 results and table
U21 Qualifying round
11 August 2010 19:00 (local time) - Gundadalur, Tórshavn
Faroe Islands beat Andorra 3-1
to reach double digits in the table
Faroe Islands – Andorra 3-1 (0-1)
0-1 Lluis Emilio Blanco
1-1 Wentzel Steinarr Kamban
2-1 Rógvi Baldvinsson
3-1 Kristoffur Jacobsen
Double digits in the table as the Faroe Islands 21 beat Andorra 3-1, having been a goal down at half-time.
The first half was an even one where Andorra took the lead after 31 minutes as Lluis Emilio Blanco headed home from a cross from the right.
Six minutes later, Andorra could have pulled further ahead as a stunning long range effort from Gerard Aloy rattled the crossbar.
Before this, Kristoffur Jacobsen was given a fine opportunity to put the Faroe Islands ahead after 11 minutes as he was played clear, but his first touch let him down and the opportunity was squandered. A free-kick in the same minute also went close for the Faroes, but ended in the side-netting, however.
Five minutes after Estonia’s goal, Øssur Dalbúð was played clear in the penalty area, but also he had problems with his first touch and squandered the opportunity.
The Faroe Islands only need five minutes in the second half to draw level as Øssur Dalbúð played Wentzel Steinarr Kamban clear to make it 1-1.
The Faroes had upped the tempo considerably in the second half and had a clear majority of possession. The pressure nearly paid off on 72 minutes when Hallur Hansson hit the post, but it mattered little, as Rógvi Baldvinsson made it 2-1 a couple of minutes later as he scored on a rebound off the post after a scramble.
Five minutes from the end of normal time, the crossbar was in the way of another Faroese goal, but three minutes later there was nothing to stop Kristoffur Jacobsen’s freekick from going into the top far corner for the 3-1 goal.
With the 3 points, the Faroese U21 team had moved up to 3rd in the group with 11 points from 9 matches – the first Faroese football team to ever reach double digits in the standing. There is one match remaining; the away match in Moldavia on 4 September. The home-leg against Moldavia ended 1-1.
Group 1 results and table
U21 Qualifying round
04 September 2010 17:00 (local time) - Zimbru 2 - Chisinau
The Faroe Islands end their
record-breaking campaign with a
1-0 defeat in Moldova
Moldova - Faroe Islands 1-0 (0-0)
1-0 Artur Ionita
The first half was generally a quite even affair, but with the better scoring opportunities going to Moldova although the Faroe Islands had a couple of their own as well.
Moldova put more pressure on the Faroese team from the start of the second half, but after 15 minutes the match evened out again.
However, with 10 minutes remaining, the Moldovan captain, Artur Ionita, rose highest to head home from Bondarciuc’s corner to win the match for the home team.
A few minutes later Finnur Justinussen was sent off for the Faroe Islands for a second bookable offence.
This was the last match of the campaign for the Faroes which, despite ending in the second from last position, has been an overwhelming success. With 11 points from 10 matches, a Faroese football team for the first time ever has managed double figures in the table.
The most memorable result was the 1-0 win over Russia at home, but the 1-0 win away to Latvia also ranks high. On the negative side is the away draw with Andorra. - Could easily have been another two points there, and the draw at home against Moldova was maybe a bit regrettable as that could also have been another victory.
That would have meant 15 points for the Faroe Islands and a least one place higher in the table and possibly a 3rd place in the group, depending on the outfall of the last match between Latvia and Moldova.
Another point that should be mentioned is that for some of the matches up to 7 players have been missing from the team because they have been selected for the senior team instead. If all of the eligible players would have played in every match, who knows what it could have produced…?But that’s just speculation as the fact is that several of the eligible U-21 players have already become an integral part of the senior team. That can only be a positive sign!
But could a full strength team have emulated the feat of Iceland who have qualified for the play offs at the expense of title holders Germany and are the most scoring team in the competition and could still pip the Czech Republic for the first place in the group, although that would need an Icelandic victory in the Czech Republic in the last match of the group on Tuesday. The total population of Iceland is only around 300,000 while the population of the Faroe Islands is approximately 50,000.
For fairness, it should be mentioned that the group of the Faroes (group 1) together with group 2 contained 6 teams in it while the other 8 groups had only 5 teams. And 4 of the 11 Faroese points came from the 6th ranked team in the group, Andorra.
Group 1 results and table
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