Republic of Ireland 2 Hungary 2.
We heard a lot of positive comments from the players and Irish manager Heimir Hallgrimsson last week in the build-up to Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary at the Aviva. But when we found ourselves 2-0 down after 15 minutes it felt like Stephen Kenny was back in charge.
The team did come back strong in the second half and bombarded the Hungarian defense to secure a 2-2 draw. And the general agreement was that had we equalised earlier than the 93rd minute we could possibly have gone on and taken all three points.
With Troy Parrott injured Hallgrimsson went with Sammy Szmodics partnering Evan Ferguson up front and the choice of Finn Azaz ahead of Mickey Johnston on the left side of midfield was a bit of a surprise.
Matt Doherty must shoulder much of the blame for Hungary’s first goal after two minutes. Doherty, who had a poor game overall, headed clear from a Hungary attack, but the ball only went as far as Styles. Doherty had failed to move forward and was guilty of playing Barga onside from Styles’s pass and he beat Caoimhin Kelleher from close range.
Irish produced a few decent moves, but they were let down by poor finishing from Szmodics and Azaz, who both failed to hit the target.
It was 2-0 to the visitors after a quarter of an hour as Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner kick was headed by Sallai past Kelleher. Irish captain Nathan Collins and Doherty failed to put any pressure on the attacker, who had a clear header at goal. Truth be told, Ireland were lucky to go in at half-time just two goals down.
Halgrimsson kept faith with the 11 players he had started and his patience was rewarded three minutes into the second half when Ferguson scored. Hungarian goal keeper Diobusz parried Ryan Manning’s free kick and Szmodics headed the rebound across the penalty area; Collins also got a touch and then Ferguson bundled the ball over the line.
Three minutes later, the Hungarians were down to ten men when goal scorer Sallai got a red card for a nasty tackle on Dara O’Shea.
Irish manager Hallgrimsson emptied his bench and one of the subs Mickey Johnston provided several good crosses which Irish players got their heads to, but couldn’t beat goalkeeper Denes Dibusz, who made three great saves. Ireland had over 40 crosses into the Hungarian penalty area in the second half.
Eventually as the clock ticked into injury time sub Adam Idah found space in the crowded Hungarian penalty area to get his head to Manning’s cross for a well deserved equalizer. In the midst of all that pressure there was at least one strong claim for a penalty as Irish captain Collins had his jersey almost ripped off his back by Orban.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic and Irish goalkeeper Kelleher won the Man of the Match award for two great second-half saves that kept us in the game.
Afterwards Irish manager Hallgrimsson said that his team deserved to win the game after all of that second-half pressure. He said: ‘‘I felt like we deserved all three points. There were positives and negatives, but I would say more positives We had a lot of players high up the pitch and we had two strikers who were really strong in the air. Adam showed how good he is.’’
Referring to the slow start from his team the Icelandic-born manager said: “We conceded in the second minute against Bulgaria also. It would be great if I could answer why it’s happening. I don’t know why, maybe it is nerves, the importance of the game. I would have given their goalkeeper the Man of the Match, not ours. From the 15th minute Hungary were wasting time, their players were throwing themselves down. The referee even gave them a waring, but they kept doing it.’’
Nor surprising Hungarian manager Marco Ross had a different view of the game. He said: ‘‘The first goal was a clear elbow from Collins on Varga. And then we have to defend with 10 men. I am not happy with Sallai who was sent off. But he reacted to a clear, clear foul on our player. It was a reaction of frustration but I think the referee should could have given him a yellow car not a red card. But our player should avoid a reaction like that in the future. When we play at home, I will be really surprised if we have a referee like this today, leaving them killing us in every contact.’’
Elsewhere Portugal, who are favorites to win our group, won 5-0 against Armenia in Yerevan where 40-year-old Ronaldo scored twice. As the Echo went to print on Tuesday evening the Boys in Green were playing Armenia in Yerevan while Hungary and Portugal were meeting in Budapest.
Irish team: Kelleher; O’Brien, Collins, O’Shea, Doherty, Knight, Cullen, Manning, Azaz, Szmodics, Ferguson. Subs: Ogbene for Doherty; Taylor for Cullen, Idah for Azaz, Johnston for Szmodics, McAteer for Knight.
Referee: Harm Osmers (Germany). Attendance: 50,137.
N.I. OPEN WITH
WIN, DEFEAT
Justin Devenny and Shea Charles scored their first international goals as Northern Ireland opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win away to Luxembourg on Friday night. On Sunday night, the North put up a great performance against Germany in Cologne but eventually lost 3-1. Gnabry gave Germany the lead on 7 minutes, but an Isaac Price goal had Northern Ireland level by half time. However, two goals in a four-minute period in the second half secured all three points for Germany. Also in that group Slovakia, who beat Germany 2-0 in their first game last Thursday, now top the group after a 1-0 win away to Luxembourg on Sunday.
IDAH FOR SWANSEA
Current and former Irish internationals were on the move on transfer deadline day in England last week. Adam Idah, Ireland’s injury-time hero against Hungary on Saturday, left Celtic for English Championship club Swansea City. Also in the Championship Chiedozie Ogbene left Ipswich Town for Sheffield United. Former Irish striker Michael Obafemi has joined German second division club VfL Bochum on a season long loan from Burnley and Cork-born |Alan Browne joined Middlesbrough on loan from Sunderland.
‘WE ARE LISTENING
TO FANS’: CELTIC
Glasgow Celtic last week released a statement insisting they are “listening” to the concerns of the club’s fans after a disappointing summer of transfer activity. Manager Brendan Rodgers has voiced his frustration following a challenging summer of player trading, with Celtic’s Champions League play-off defeat against Kazakhstani club Kiarat Almaty highlighting the frailties of their squad. Parkhead management met with fans on Friday and issued a statement on Saturday, saying: “Following constructive meetings yesterday with representatives of the Celtic Supporters’ Association, the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters’ Clubs and the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters’ Clubs, the club thanks them for conveying the concerns of their members, and Celtic supporters more widely. The club takes Celtic supporters’ views extremely seriously, and the club understands the concerns and frustrations which have arisen. We are listening to the views expressed by our supporters, welcome dialogue and we are always willing to learn lessons. The club is committed to engagement with supporters, and we will work hard to address the concerns and frustrations that have been raised. Achieving success on the field of play underpins everything we do. The club’s strategy over many years has been dedicated to that objective, and we will always strive to achieve it. Celtic supporters play an integral part in the success of the Club, and we are committed to delivering success for them.’’
