Rep. Of Ireland… 2
Hungary… 2
Analysis of anything needs context. For example, if you just saw the above scoreline without having seeing the match or any details thereof, you might consider it a poor result.
Indeed, were it not for a heroic stop from Caoimhin Kelleher shortly before the break, whatever morsels of positivity which may appear hereafter may have been surplus to requirements.
Back in the day, a lot of managers of English clubs – and Sir Alex Ferguson in particular – was notorious for not releasing players for Ireland matches. But it now appears things have gone full circle.
As in, clubs have no problem releasing players but it wouldn’t be difficult to arrive at the conclusion that at least some of the players don’t want to be there. Certainly in the first half, Matt Doherty showed about as much interest in what he was supposed to be doing as a turkey would in Christmas.
The man who Wolves got rid of and then took back was directly responsible for the two Hungarian goals. However, credit to him and the others who saw game time, after most likely getting a thoroughly deserved bollicking from Heimir Halgrimmson, they were like a team transformed after the break.
Now, it must be said, the manager himself upped his game after half time. Specifically, with the introductions of Chiedozie Ogbene and Mikey Johnson and Adam Idah.
Doubtless, the question was probably being asked in certain quarters why at least two of the three didn’t start. In fairness to Ogbene, the lad is only back from a horrendous Achilies Tendon injury.
That said, he was absolutely scintillating when introduced. And, between him, Ryan Manning and Johnson they peppered the Hungarian goal and, though Evan Ferguson did bundle home a first goal early in the second period, despite all the huffing and puffing it appeared they weren’t going to be able to blow down the Hungary house.
But, as is so often the case, if you keep giving good players the ball for long enough, they will eventually manage to use it as they are supposed to.
Thus, though it took 94 minutes, Cork’s Adam Idah, who rather ridiculously went from Glasgow Celtic to Swansea City on loan, got on the end of one of the plethora of crosses to nod home an equaliser which was the very least the home team deserved.
Right, so there’s nothing bubbling to be hysterically positive about, it has to be seen as a case of glass half full however. Firstly because, while their campaign may not have gotten off to the most positive of starts, a defeat would have ended it before it had begun in earnest.
Also, mind you, because in fairness to the Icelandic coach and John O’Shea and Paddy McCarthy they actually have the team playing to a system. Giving them an on-field identity.
Yes, it might be primative, old fashioned and nauseating to purists – or football snobbery depending on how you look at it – but here’s the thing, it works!
Which is a vast difference from the dross which was produced under Giovannai Trapattoni and, to a lesser extent, Stephen Kenny. When self preservation and damage limitation was the staple diet and expressive, expansive attacking football was like a banned substance.
In fact, the best of what the boys in green produced in the second half was a throwback to the best days of Irish football under Jack Charlton. That is to say, playing the simple ball, letting said ball do the work. In other words, functioning in a way that suits the assets at our disposal. It has never served us too badly over the years!
Leave a Reply