Late Soccer: Irish Kids Lose, Utd Win.

GERRY Smith found the perfect analogy to describe his team’s predicament as the Republic of Ireland crashed out of the under-20 World Cup finals in the United Arab Emirates to a golden goal from Colombia substitute Carrillo.

Smith’s team are on their way home after an heroic struggle against the South Americans ended in ultimate heartache in the last 16 playoff.

They trailed 2-0 to goals from Perea and Montano either side of halftime before late strikes from Kevin Doyle and Paddy McCarthy, two minutes into injury time, forced the game into extra time.

Ireland could have won the match with a late effort from Doyle but paid the price when Carrillo took full advantage of defensive hesitancy to score a 104th minute winner.

“It’s as if you’ve just been released from jail after a 10 year sentence then hit by a bus on your release,” said manager Smith.

“The players are shattered. To come back like that then lose the game is heart breaking but I am proud of them all.”

In the Champions League, Manchester United eased their way into the last 16 thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Stuttgart with goals from Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs.

Rangers failed to secure a place in the UEFA Cup when they were beaten 3-1 by Panathanaikos in Glagsow.

Chelsea topped their group thanks to a 2-0 win against Besiktas in Germany, the goals coming from Hasselbaink and Bridge in the second half. Sparta Prague beat Lazio 1-0 in the same group.

Belgrade and Marseilles drew 1-1 while Real Madrid and FC Porto finished on the same scoreline in the other Group F game.

In group H, AC Milan were beaten 2-1 at home by Celta Vigo while Bruges beat Ajax 2-1 in Belgium.