European Championship Under-21 Qualifier: 10-man Republic edge out Armenia
Last updated on .From the section Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland's Under-21s stayed top of their group in Euro 2021 qualifying with a 1-0 win in Armenia.
Zack Elbouzedi scored the only goal of the game on 63 minutes as the hosts frustrated Stephen Kenny's side.
Captain Dara O'Shea was sent off for a last-man tackle with 15 minutes to go but the Republic held out for the win.
Elbouzedi's strike was enough to give the Republic 13 points from six games ahead of Sweden's visit to Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Despite constant pressure from the visitors, Armenia held firm in the opening 45 minutes with the best chance falling to Jason Knight, who could only hit the stanchion behind the goal from inside the area.
Three minutes later Elbouzedi tried his luck, forcing a save from Sevak Aslanyan in the Armenian goal after jinking inside but Kenny's outfit failed to make the breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes.
Knight was booked for simulation when looking for a penalty as Irish frustrations grew in the second half before Elbouzedi converted Adam Idah's low cross for the opener in Yerevan.
Idah's 25-yard effort dipped over the top before the Republic were reduced to 10 men when Karen Melkonyan was clipped by O'Shea when clean through on goal, which left referee Antti Munukka with little choice but to brandish the red card for the centre back.
Armenia failed to create any clear-cut chances despite their man advantage and the Republic saw the game out to claim the three points.
