Irish fans were making their way to the Aviva tonight in hope that Saturday evening’s uninspiring performance against England was more down to the level of opposition rather than where we sit in world football. However, in the end, the result was exactly the same. A two-nil defeat.
The manner of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat was a reality check as to the task that new boss Heimir HallgrÃmsson faces in getting the Boys In Green to compete on the international stage again.
But a quick turnaround presented an opportunity to make up for the defeat to our neighbours, as Greece came to Dublin following a impressive 3-0 defeat of Finland in their opening group match.
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The Icelandic manager made three changes to the team from Saturday evening. One of those was injury-enforced, with Seamus Coleman returning to Everton after picking up a knock. Matt Doherty and Adam Idah were also dropped to the bench, with Andrew Omobamidele, Jason Knight, and Alan Browne coming into the team.
Ireland’s best chance of the night came in the 40th minute, when Chiedozie Ogbene thought he had opened the scoring with a terrific strike from outside the box only to be ruled offside.
🇮🇪 0-0 🇬🇷: Chiedozie Ogbene has the ball in the net after a stunning strike, but the Irishman had strayed just offside and the goal won’t count.
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 10, 2024
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After an improved first half, the second half began in the worst possible manner. After five minutes, Greece were in the lead when Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis fired into the top corner from long range after a Anastasio Bakasetas pass.
From then on, we created little of note despite trying hard to equalize against a stubborn Greek defence and they doubled their lead after a simple ball over the top was chased down by Christos Tzolis and finished off with Kelleher well beaten.
🇮🇪 0-2 🇬🇷: That’s game over for Ireland and it’s far too easy for Greece as Tzolis chases down a simple ball over the top from Bakasetas before firing home.
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 10, 2024
Nathan Collins reacts to Ireland’s loss
Captain in Seamus Coleman’s absence, Nathan Collins spoke to RTÉ’s Tony O’Donoghue after the disappointing result:
It wasn’t just me, there was a lot of people speaking in that dressing room. A lot of frustration, A lot of people upset. Too many times we have come into that dressing room (after) losing and we’re sick of it.
We need to step it up (players), we’ve changed the manager, we’ve changed things.
We’ve played our best game in a long time there and still lost, we need to change something
Ireland captain Nathan Collins takes some positives from his side’s first-half display, but insists that the players are at fault for their 2-0 defeat to Greece and it’s them who have to turn things around. pic.twitter.com/649pkYa8NO
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 10, 2024
It’s honest feedback but it’s time for that frustration to turn into something positive on the football pitch.
The majority of the starting 11 improved on Saturday’s showing but did little to send fans home with hope that the glory days may be on their way back. For the first time ever, Ireland have lost 4 competitive home games in a row.