Ireland's goalless streak continues as Wales loss sets up Nations League relegation decider
Matt Doherty after the Republic of Ireland's Uefa Nations League B loss to Wales. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Stephen Kenny must be scratching his head after watching his Ireland side’s barren run continue in Cardiff.
The manager may only be seven matches into his tenure, but he must start providing answers to kick this losing habit with World Cup qualifying seedings and Nations League relegation on the line.
The 1-0 defeat in the Welsh capital, courtesy of David Brooks’ second-half header, extended their dire winless run to eight matches and making it six games since last scoring a goal.
The shocking start to his managerial reign hasn’t been helped by the spate of injuries and positive coronavirus tests which have kept key men such as James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Aaron Connolly, John Egan, Callum Robinson and Harry Arter out of the picture.
There were shoots of improvement during a promising first-half performance against a Wales side now unbeaten in their last 10 matches.
But Kenny’s men clearly lacked the belief to push on and snatch a victory to stop the rot, while allowing Wales to set up a Nations League promotion decider with Finland.
Ireland had more attempts at goal and shaded possession over the 90 minutes but lacked the killer instinct to make their statistical advantage count.
In 19-year-old Norwich striker Adam Idah, Kenny looks to have a long-term solution to their woes in front of goal. Add to some of that missing experience to Idah’s raw quality and Ireland may get back on track sooner rather than later.
But first Kenny must play the cards the has been dealt and come up with a method to beat Bulgaria on Wednesday evening. If they fall to yet another loss, they will be confirmed to be in World Cup qualifying pot three, ensuring a tougher route to the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
They would also fall into Nations League 3 alongside the likes of Luxembourg and Kosovo and take the massive financial hit that comes with it.
Ireland didn’t look a team devoid of confidence as they started brightly and captain Shane Duffy spurned an early opportunity after diving to meet Brady’s free-kick, but he failed to steer his header on target.
The signs were promising for a seemingly rejuvenated Ireland side, but they got a reminder of their opponents’ threat after Kevin Long gifted the ball to Brooks on the edge of the box.
He had his teammate Jayson Molumby to thank for providing a crucial intervention to block Brooks’ shot out for a corner.
Then it was Bale’s turn to threaten the Irish goal as momentum began to swing the way of the hosts. The Spurs star launched a dipping free-kick towards goal from 30 yards out and watched it graze the top of the crossbar before going behind.
The scare only seemed to spark Ireland into life. Moments after the close shave, Brady chipped the ball into the path of James McClean, who forced a reaction save from Danny Ward with a forceful low effort.
Wales looked to assert control after the restart but were met with stiff resistance from Ireland’s solid rearguard.
It looked for a moment as if the breakthrough would come from the spot when the newly introduced Kieffer Moore went down in the box under pressure from Duffy.
Referee Petr Ardeleanu blew his whistle, but only to award Ireland a free-kick and issue Moore with a yellow card for simulation.
But the defensive resolve was finally broken in the 66th minute when Daniel James clipped a cross towards the back post, where it was met by Bale, who beat Spurs teammate Matt Doherty to head back across goal for the onrushing Brooks to head in from close range.
Brooks should have made it 2-0 after breaking clear on a rapid counter-attack, but Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph made a stunning left-handed stop to keep the one-goal deficit intact.
Ireland had a penalty shout turned down when Neco Williams seemed to hand a corner at the near post, but there was more agony to come.
The final blow came in added time as Ireland lost midfielder Jeff Hendrick for the crucial clash on Wednesday. Wales substitute Tyler Roberts cut out a weak pass and looked set to sprint clear through on goal until Hendrick scythed him down and saw red.
Ward; Rodon, Mepham, Davies; N Williams, Ampadu, Morrell, Norrington-Davies (Moore 62); James, Brooks (T Roberts 88), Bale.
Randolph; Doherty, Duffy, K Long, O’Shea (O’Dowda 81); Molumby (Hourihane 75), Hendrick; Horgan (Knight 59), Brady (Byrne 82), McClean; Idah (Collins 75).
Petr Ardeleanu (CZE).
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