Armstrong Oko-Flex on his first call-up since June, proved the difference by netting twice in a strong performance by the Boys In Green to remain unbeaten in this qualification campaign.

Playing primarily on the left of the attack, Oko-Flex was causing torment with his weaving meandering runs through the defence and his two goals, the first he has netted for the Republic.

The Objective was simple coming into this tie, three points to keep up the hopes of qualification and keep firmly within the challenge of Norway, Ireland dominated playing a beautiful style of attacking football, which could have produced more goals had Jānis Beks not played a sublime role in the Latvian net.

It was a dominant display but with Latvia pulling one back in stoppage time, the Irish were left to sweat a little, two minutes later the final whistle would sound to confirm another big three points for the side,

For the opening exchanges it was the home side that applied a greater deal of pressure, Deniss Meļņiks headed over from a corner before Ralfs Maslovs tried to pounce on a poor clearance but the effort sailed over the Irish goal.

The first chance for the Boys in green arrived seven minute in, Joe Hodge, Matt Healy and Andrew Moran all kicking the ball around well in the midfield, Armstrong Oko-Flex received the ball on the edge of the area and had time and space to size up they shot at goal, the effort however was wayward.

James Furlong delivered a ball to the area that lacked power and conviction to allow Sinclair Armstrong a chance at goal, three minutes later a period of sustained pressure would reap the rewards. Moran fouled trying to work a route to goal, Ireland were awarded a free in a dangerous position, Healy and Tony Springett stood over the set-piece.

Healy dummied for Springett to cross with his left boot, the ball floated high into the area where Bosun Lawal jumped highest to head for goal, the effort cracked off the underside of the crossbar, landing right for Oko-Flex to poke home the opener after 15 minutes of play.

A goal that would awaken Jim Crawford’s side and see them start to dictate the game and play with a lot more confidence. Springett looked to double the lead shy of the 20th minute mark, Jānis Beks with a strong save.

Beks was kept busy as the Irish side started to create more chances for a second, mainly comin through Sinclair Armstrong who was proving to be a handful. Armstrong was played through by Healy, Beks covering the angle to save his effort. Armstrong followed that up a minute later causing yet more trouble in the area this time the effort rippled the side netting.

On the half hour mark Armstrong struck the woodwork as the Irish side were still hunting for that elusive second goal, Latvia were at sixes and sevens at times dealing with Arnstrong, a couple robust challenges starting to creep into their game plan. 

It was a cagey start to the second stanza as the game started to be a little more frantic Lawal fired over a free-kick from range that served as the main chance however just over ten minutes gone in the half, Ireland settled and Ofo-Flex doubled the lead.

Crisp passing by ireland across the midfield working the ball toward the latvian goal, Springett with nice footwork on the right channel, playing across by the by-line he squared for Oko-Flex, his effort took a deflection off a Latvian defender and nestled in the back of the net.

On the hour mark it looked like a third had arrived as Oko-Flex weaved his way through the Latvian rearguard, a nice one-two with Furlong, passing to Andrew Moran however Beks large frame was able to meet the effort head on and stop the danger.

Moran was down injured during Oko-Flex making it 2-0, he was forced off for Zak Gilsenan after 64 minutes, Gilsenan wasted little time in making his presence know, forcing Beks to be quick and produce a strong hand to parry away his low effort from outside the area for a corner.

After the second the game entered a lull period, Ireland were still very much in control happy to hold possession and dictate the tempo, Gilsenan played through Aidomo Emakhu in the 83rd minute, the former Shamrock Rovers man denied by a stunning save by Beks, equal to match a quality effort on goal.

Two minutes into the four allotted by the fourth official, Lūkass Vapne gathered the ball in the centre of midfield and struck from range, the effort took a slight deflection on route to goal, enough to squeeze past the outstretched arm of Josh Keeley to nestle in the left hand bottom corner.