J-League side outwit Down at Limavady

Juniors 0

Kashima Antlers 2

COUNTY Down’s Juniors were undone by Japanese outfit Kashima Antlers at Roemill in Limavady on Tuesday.

Down started strongly with Sean McGonigle releasing Jordan McMillan after just seven minutes. McMillan’s snap-shot was kept out by Kashima keeper Yoto Kazumi.

On 18 minutes, captain Ethan Knipe played a slide-rule pass to TJ Murray out on the right. Murray cut inside but blazed his shot over the bar with his left foot from 12 yards.

The Japanese boys took the lead three minutes before the break. Jo Reona was unmarked at the back post and despatched the ball past Paul Campbell.

McGonigle volleyed wide as County Down went in search of the equaliser just before half-time.

The locals were indifferent after the restart. Apart from two long-range efforts from Knipe, there was very little cutting edge going forward.

Kashima wrapped up the game with two minutes remaining. Ikemoto Haruhiko crossed from the left and Otake Ren volleyed home at the back post to give the competition’s debutants a first win at the Milk Cup.

Team: Campbell, Harwood, McGrath, Kane, Savage, TJ Murray, McGonigle, Knipe, MacKenzie, Geddis, McMillan. Subs: Shields, Coffey, Sharvin, R Murray.

Unused subs: Gunning, McBride, Hunsdale.