Great Irish rally comes to nought on a thrilling night

In one of the most dramatic matches in this World Youth Championship, the South American flair in the form of Colombia prevailed over a fighting European outfit, Ireland by the odd goal in five margin.

Leading 2-0, Colombia's coach Reinaldo Rueda sent in Erwin Carrillo to give his goal-scoring hero Victor Montano a well-deserved rest after 83 minutes of play against Ireland.

Two minutes later Ireland pulled one back through substitute Kevin Doyle, but in the 87th minute again Reinaldo replaced his other goalscorer and star striker Edixon Perea.

But the dour Irish struck again through Stephen Paisley in injury-time and the dazzling Colombians entered extra-time without their best players.

It was then that Carrillo turned match-winner from mere substitute as he stabbed the ball after some fancy work on the right flank by Abel Aguilar. The Irish could not believe it, more so after their magnificent fight back .

The match itself was one of two halves. Colombia dazzled with a display of skillful play in the first session when the Irish looked totally out of place.

"The boys are devastated. We took the game right to them but they caught us on the break. But to lose in this man is certainly painful," said a glum-looking Irish coach Smith. "Their aerial balls caused us problems but we deserved to win," added Rueda.