Filed under: Euro 2012, Football, Match Reports
What should have been an easy night for Giovanni Trapattoni's men, was made into a much more difficult affair as Ireland failed to show a lack of killer touch as they just edged past minnows Macedonia.Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane struck early for the home side and looked to have set them on their way to a comfortable night, but Ivan Trichkovski's 45th-minute goal ensured a nervy second half for Ireland as they just about clung on to a vital three points.
With Russia slipping up away at Armenia and only picking up a point, this was a superb opportunity for Ireland to capitalise and move joint top with the Group B favourites - and Trapattoni's men got off the best start possible.
After just two minutes Wolves striker Kevin Doyle played a pass out wide to McGeady and the Spartak Moscow winger cut inside, before firing off from 20-yards to grab his very first international goal.
Macedonia keeper Edin Nuredinoski did manage to get a hand to McGeady's effort, and probably should have done better, but there was no doubt the visitors' keeper gifted Ireland their second.
Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson hit a timid free-kick straight at Nuredinoski in the 22nd minute, but he fumbled and allowed Keane the chance to bundle the ball over the line for his 46th goal in international colours.
But just as Ireland seemed to be cruising heading into the half-time break, Macedonia popped up with a goal in their first real attack as Trichkovski turned Richard Dunne far too easily in the area before curling past Keiren Westwood.
Ireland still seemed shell-shocked after the break, and Inter Milan striker Goran Pandev had a glorious chance to pull Macedonia level with minutes of the restart.
However, the Inter Milan striker foolishly rushed his shot after Trichkovski had found him unmarked in the area and his effort went well wide.
Damien Duff had a glorious chance to put the result beyond doubt just before the hour mark, but the Fulham midfielder pulled his shot wide after McGeady had done well to find him at the rear post.
Ireland were still looking very shaky at the back and Trichkovski should have got his second and Macedonia's equaliser in the 75th minute.
Dunne was caught ball watching as the Macedonian midfielder ran on to Muhamed Demiri's long punt forward, but Westwood was alert to deny Trichkovski at close-range and Ireland just about held on.
REACTION:
Despite the manner of victory, Trapattoni was pleased with his side's performance and in particular some of the individual showings against Macedonia:
"I have two or three reasons to be very, very happy. One, the three points, second the performance of the team overall and some specific players in particlaur.
"And the third, most importantly, the choice of players Gibson and Foley about whom I was always asked questions about.
"I was always told Foley is a defensive player and not offensive enough. Tonight he was the opposite and I have reason to be happy about my choices.
"Then, the performance was made slightly easier by the goal at beginning. But I think we controlled the game very well and kept them under control. We had many chances and we could have scored one or two more goals."
On McGeady netting his first international goal:
"McGeady was the best player on the pitch and he has improved his performance and personality. We have players with extraordinary potential but they are not aware of this potential. It is up to us to give them this trust and confidence."
On his defensive approach and unwillingness to change:
"It's important to the players that we show them what happened in Russia and Slovakia games. It is possible to make it easier to go into attacking play without running risks. I explain the difference between a show and a result.
"We must know it is time for a show and time for a result. At times we showed how we moved the ball and the team shows it has grown in belief and self-confidence."
WHAT IT MEANS:
The win for Trapattoni's men moves them to tied first place in Group B after five games. Level with Russia, Ireland still have a tough challenge ahead if they're to succeed in getting the automatic spot as they have to travel to Moscow to face the group favourites. Three wins now out of five reads well, but with those victories coming against Andorra, Armenia and now Macedonia, Ireland will have to pick up better results against Russia and Slovakia in the reverse fixtures next season.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 2 (McGeady 2, Keane 22) MACEDONIA 1 (Trichkovski 45)
PLAYER MARKING:
Republic of Ireland (4-4-2): Westwood 6; Foley 6, Dunne 5, O'Dea 7, Kilbane 6; Duff 8, Gibson 5 (Fahey 77, 6), Whelan 6, McGeady 7; Keane 8 (McCarthy 87), Doyle 6 (Long 17, 7).
Subs (not used): Forde, Kelly, Clark, Lawrence.
FYR Macedonia (4-4-2): Nuredinoski 4; Shikov 6, Noveski 5, Grncharov 4, Popov 6; Tesevski 6 (Gjurovski 60, 6), Demiri 5 (Georgievski 84), Shumulikoski 6, Trichkovski 7; Pandev 6, Naumoski 4 (Risticj 68, 6).
Subs (not used): Bogatinov, Metreski, Despotovski, lazevsk.
ATTENDANCE: 33,200
REFEREE: Istvan Vad
NEXT UP:
- Republic of Ireland v Uruguay (home), Friendly 29/03, 1945 GMT
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Damien Duff (Ireland): The Fulham midfielder made his first appearance for his country in this qualifying campaign after injury kept him out of the first four games, and he showed his worth on the wing. A constant threat throughout, and came close to a deserved goal.
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