Ireland boosted their Euro 2016 qualification hopes with their second victory in four days after overcoming a battling Georgian side by a goal to nil. Jon Walters’ 7th goal for his country may prove to be his most crucial of all, as it leaves Martin O’Neill’s side clear in third place in the group.
Despite Georgia’s win over a strong Scottish team on Friday, the boys in green went into the match as heavy favourites, backed up by a 100% record vs the Georgians in 7 previous matches and a mean defence.
In front of a crowd of just over 27,000 people, Ireland churned out what has become the standard performance – boring, but strangely effective. It’s a trend which began under the management of Giovanni Trappatoni, but has filtered through to O’Neill’s. The manager stuck with almost the same side as Friday, with only Seamus Coleman coming in for Cyrus Christie
The first half lacked any real tempo from the Irish, as they failed to break down a determined Georgia defence, the same one that had thwarted a talented Scottish attack to very few chances on Friday night. Robbie Keane, searching for a record breaking 68th international goal, was presented with a good chance to find it following some good inter-play between Wes Hoolahan and Jon Walters, although he skied his effort over from 8 yards. As the Georgians continued to frustrate the Irish, they went on the counter themselves and the best chance of the half fell to Levan Mchedlidze. Mchedlidze, who plays club football for Empoli, found space behind the Irish defence, but his effort was far too tame, and Shay Given easily collected in the Irish goal. This would prove to be Georgia’s best opportunity for a breakthrough throughout the game
Unsurprisingly, it was Ireland’s wide men who caused the Georgian defence trouble. Both Jeff Hendrick and Wes Hoolahan were keen to run at the defence, which is billed as much weaker on the ground than in the air. Coleman provided Ireland with an additional attacking option from deep. Encouraged to play his natural game, he frequently found himself posing a threat down the right flank. On the brink of half-time, he tested Revishvili in the Georgian goal with a stunning volley, which was well saved by the Georgian stopper. At half time, Irish fans were left relatively unimpressed, particularly on hearing the news that Scotland were drawing with Germany 2-2 in Hampden Park.
O’Neill made a brave call and replaced Keane at half-time with the pacey Shane Long, in a hope of providing the Irish attack with a little more pace. The second half brought a rejuvenated Irish attack, who grew desperate to find the vital breakthrough. Efforts from Coleman, Glenn Whelan and Jeff Hendrick lifted the atmosphere in the stadium. Capitalising on that, the Irish broke through with 21 minutes to go. In a typically Irish fashion, it took a moment of magic from one of the wide men to create the vital breakthrough. Hendrick made a weaving run past several Georgian defenders before providing a low cross for Jon Walters to bundle in from three yards. It broke the Georgian rear-guard, who grew tired as the game went on. Despite some nervy moments, Ireland managed to hold on for a 1-0 win.
Next for the boys in green is a home tie versus the world champions, Germany. If Ireland were to repeat their heroic performance in Gelsenkirchen, it would surely be enough to see their progression to the playoff round at least, after Scotland’s defeat to Germany. O’Neill will be without the services of Whelan and James McClean, with the pair receiving their fifth yellow cards of the campaign last night and thus a suspension.
Although O’Neill insisted that Ireland “can’t get ahead of themselves”, we can at least begin to look a little more positively towards the future of Irish international football. It is now in our own hands.
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