Manchester City’s Joe Hodge has earned the Republic of Ireland U19’s a point in the opening game of their Euro U19 campaign against Norway in Armenia after he scored an 80th minute equaliser.
Erik Botheim gave Norway an early lead after Edvard Tagseth did well to centre the ball for his teammate but Ireland were not finished with Hodge pouncing on a half-cleared ball after some great work down the right wing from new Leicester City signing Ali Reghba.
GOAL Ireland
NOR 1-1 IRE
81mins Joe Hodge with a cracking strike from 25 yards to equalise against Norway at the Under-19 European Championships.#RTEsoccer
Updates: https://t.co/LoDZpzfwjf pic.twitter.com/EOCl23sd3D
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 15, 2019
Reghba moves to Leicester after going on trial for the Foxes in the winter before later signing his first professional contract with Bohs.
He shot to prominence last season when he scored twice in his league debut in a 3-1 Dublin derby win away against St Patrick’s Athletic and Gypsies manager Keith Long wishes him the best of luck as he attempts to make the grade in England.
“Everyone at Bohemians wishes Ali the very best of luck in his move and in Armenia with the U19s,” Long told the club’s website.
“He’s a successful graduate of our U19s and underage system and we wish him the very best for the future.”
