Martinez praises Irish grit and Ferguson's impact as late penlty and stoppage-time raise questions
IRELAND'S GRIT: Ireland's Evan Ferguson in action against Nuno Mendes, left, and Goncalo Inácio of Portugal. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
There’s a way to lose games and this method was a world away from the humiliation of Armenia.
If there’s supposedly no honour in defeat, it didn’t apply here.
Ireland didn’t so much park the bus. They posited a double-decker in front of their goal, according to Portuguese media.
Creditable Irish results on the road have featured that approach as a bedrock, among them draws away to Russia to Germany and even the home win against the latter. Defending is an underestimated art.
All of the components lacking in Yerevan four weeks ago, cohesiveness, solidity and basic bravery, were produced in abundance against the fifth best team in the world.
Séamus Coleman led by example, not requiring the armband he’s used to in order to lead the charge.
He was superb on his return to the team, confessing his disappointment afterwards at being axed for last month’s window. “I think I was brought back into the squad for more than just leadership,” he stressed. “I went straight back into the team.”
Coleman was speaking after another late defeat to Portugal with replica features of the last, four years ago in Faro.
Cristiano Ronaldo was denied from the penalty spot again, this time by Caoimhín Kelleher with 15 minutes left.
Unlike the previous rescue mission, he wouldn’t have the final say. That stoppage-time intervention was supplied by Rúben Neves.
Fatigue was a factor as Ireland’s backline defended another cross into the box but this delivery by substitute Francisco Trincão was allowed hang in the air for the midfielder to plant his header into the top corner.
“We wanted the players to respond from what happened in Armenia,” Heimir Hallgrímsson said of the 2-1 defeat that could easily have been heavier.
“We got the solid performance sought but not the result.”
Hallgrímsson went against his traditional creed by adopting a five-man defensive unit, eager to repel the waves of attacks Portugal engineer.
“It was a pretty basic tactical preparation because we knew how this game was going to be played,” he added. “That might be strange to say but it’s easier, allowing us to prepare all week.
“All the players bought into that one. We needed to sit deep, defend and close spaces behind us, and then hit Portugal on the counter when we had the chances.”
Chances were scarce. The returning Jayson Molumby blasted his shot over the crossbar in first half injury time while Josh Cullen was fractionally late in arriving for Chiedozie Ogbene’s cross midway through the second half.
“This was a painful and heartbreaking result,” reflected a crestfallen Hallgrímsson.
“Sometimes we coaches try to talk up performance after a defeat but our gameplan worked. Teamwork was excellent. There was a lot of energy put into this match and going back to Ireland with nothing is painful.
“We knew that we’d get space behind Portugal. Once we won the ball, Festy Ebosele and Chiedozie were explosive on the flanks."
Hallgrímsson admitted the exertions of defending throughout a humid evening in Lisbon may have contributed to Trincão being allowed time and space to execute the match-winning cross.
“Once you get tired, you give the player on the ball more time,” he said.
“Their player was given too much time to cross. We had defended those moments better, almost all the time, so that was unfortunate.
“Portugal have the quality to find the perfect pass and run."
His Portuguese counterpart Roberto Martinez felt they shaded a tight contest.
“We expected that type of performance from Ireland because the Armenia defeat wasn’t at their level,” he said.
“We weren’t surprised by their tactics, only their capacity to be aggressive and defend so well.
“It was incredible solidarity from the players. Evan Ferguson showed how important a striker he is and Kelleher had an amazing game.”
The inexperience of Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzlak ultimately cost Ireland with a litany of harsh calls. The Icelander felt he got some key decisions wrong – including the penalty that Ronaldo saw saved by Kelleher.
“He gave Portugal much respect,” he said. “Dara O’Shea’s hand was close to the chest and most referees wouldn’t have given it.
“I wouldn’t have given a penalty. I don’t know where he got seven minutes of stoppage time but I don’t usually talk about referees and won't start now.”
D Costa; D Dalot (R Leão 62), R Dias, G Inácio (R Veiga 46), N Mendes; R Neves, Vitinha (F Trincão 62); B Silva, B Fernandes (G Ramos 86), P Neto (N Semedo 62); C Ronaldo.
C Kelleher; S Coleman (J Egan 86),, J O’Brien, N Collins, D O’Shea, R Manning; J Molumby, J Cullen; F Ebosele (M Johnston 64), E Ferguson (T Parrott 78), C Ogbene (W Smallbone 78).
I Kruzlak (Slovakia).
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