Northern Ireland held by Denmark in Milk Cup opener
Last updated on .From the section Football
Northern Ireland started their Milk Cup bid with a 1-1 draw against Denmark in Coleraine on Monday night.
Matthew Ball's superb lob gave the hosts a first-half lead in the Elite section game but Jeff Mensah struck a late leveller for the Danes.
The USA defeated Israel 2-0 at the Ballymena Showgrounds while Mexico lost 2-1 to Georgia in Ballymoney.
Manchester United beat Zamora FC 4-0 in the Premier section while Spurs won by the same scoreline against Otago.
Premier holders Etoile Lusitana started with a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers and Cherry Orchard were the top scorers on the opening day, with a 9-0 hammering of RSKV Leonidas.
Co Tyrone enjoyed 3-1 wins over Co Fermanagh in both Premier and Junior derby encounters in Ballymoney.
Everton edged out Queen of the South 1-0 in the Junior section while Co Antrim and Co Armagh played out a 2-2 draw.
Northern Ireland keeper Wayne Drummond made two outstanding saves in the opening 45 minutes to ensure Steve Beaglehole's boys had a firm foundation to build on.
Norwich City midfielder Ball looked to have lost possession, but on retrieving the ball he looked up to see keeper David Jensen off his line and lobbed him from just inside the box.
It was a stunning goal which lifted Northern Ireland and Jensen saved when Wolves striker Liam McAlinden managed to direct an effort on target.
Christian Sorsesen was the danger man for the Danes and the gifted midfielder struck the woodwork before another effort was kept out by Drummond.
Northern Ireland were denied an opening win when Mensah fired into the bottom corner from 16 yards late on.
Milk Cup results - Monday 25 July
Elite Section
Israel 0-2 USA
Mexico 1-2 Georgia
Northern Ireland 1-1 Denmark
Premier Section
South Coast Strikers 0-0 Desportivo Brazil
Cherry Orchard 9-0 RSKV Leonidas
Co Tyrone 3-1 Co Fermanagh
Athletico Del Pinto 1-2 Hartlepool Utd
Aspire 6-0 Belvedere
Co Armagh 0-4 Co Down
Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Etoile Lusitana
Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Otago
Co Antrim 2-1 Co Londonderry
Zamora FC 0-4 Manchester Utd
Junior Section
Dundalk SL 2-2 County Down
FC Nordsjaelland 1-0 Swindon Town
North Dublin SL 0-0 Co Londonderry
Hapoel Haifa 1-1 Watford
Co Tyrone 3-1 Co Fermanagh
Cruz Azul 1-0 Reading
AB Copenhagen 2-2 Brentford
Revo Express 0-1 Plymouth Argyle
South Coast Strikers 0-1 Ipswich Town
Everton 1-0 Queen of the South
Co Antrim 2-2 Co Armagh
