Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 October 2021 | 7:45 pm | Men's Senior | 2021/22 |
Match Report
First back-to-back wins for Ireland since March 2019
The Republic of Ireland recorded their first back-to-back wins for the first time since March 2019 as Callum Robinson was the Irish hero at the Aviva Stadium.
Fresh from his two goals last time out, Robinson grabbed his first international hat-trick, followed by a captains goal from Shane Duffy; that ensured Ireland saw off Qatar with a 4-0 win at the Aviva Stadium.
In what was an impressive display from Stephen Kenny’s squad, this paves the way for an exciting encounter with Portugal next month that they will head into full of confidence following tonight's performance.
As was expected Ireland made five changes to the starting line-up with Kelleher, Stevens, Hourihane, Ogbene, McGrath coming into the matchday squad.
The hosts got off to the perfect start, as Robinson netted his first goal of the evening just three minutes into the contest. He latched onto a pass on the edge of the area before hitting a high curling effort that beat Barsham at his near post.
Ireland continued to press forward and got their second goal after Jamie McGrath was taken down under a heavy challenge from Alrawi, with the referee awarding a penalty. Robinson stepped up to send the Qatar net-minder the wrong way and give Ireland an early commanding two-goal lead.
John Egan and Chiedozie Ogbene both had chances to add their names to the score sheet. The best of which fell to Ogbene whose powerful header cannoned back off the crossbar.
Robinson started the second half much like he began this first, as he grabbed his hat-trick following a clever low through ball by Jeff Hendrick that saw him run onto the pass and slot it calmly past the keeper.
Shane Duffy was next to get his name on the score-sheet as he headed past Barsham with a powerful header from a Conor Hourihane corner.
The game lost its pace as both sides opted to bring on replacements with each team pressing forward in fleeting moments, Hendrick had the best of the late opportunities but his effort went high over the bar.
During the course of this game, the fans chanted 'There is only one Stephen Kenny' as fans begin the see the fruits of very difficult labour.
They are invested in this long term project with Irish football beginning to see the benefits from this side.
Timeline
Past Meetings
 
(International Friendly)
1 - 1Men's Senior
Nagyerdei Stadion Qatar v Ireland |
Ground
| Aviva Stadium |
|---|
| Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Pembroke West A ED, Dublin, Dublin 4, Leinster, D04 FP65, Ireland |
Ciaran Callan
Ciaran Callan is a part-time sports journalist based in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He has more than 10 year’s experience working with media companies including both extensive radio broadcasting experience along with print and digital media reporting for the SSE Airtricity League as well digital media work with the national sports company eirSport. He joined FinalWhistle in February 2021 as is their main correspondent for Dundalk Football Club.
So close to a fifth goal as Hendrick gets the ball on the edge of the area but his effort flies over the bar.
Double swap for Ireland: Shane Duffy comes off for Nathan Collins and Callum Robinson comes off for Troy Parrott.
Qatar makes a double change: Abdelaziz Hatim comes in for Assim Madibo and Almoez Ali comes in for Ahmed Alaaeldin.
Ogbene with an impressive home debut comes off for Jason Knight.
A rare Qatar attack sees a free-kick straight from the training ground cut out by Jeff Hendrick, however he does concede a corner.
Death, Taxes and Shane Duffy with an international headed goal, a fantastic corner is sent into the area and Duffy was on hand to head it goalwards.
And that's the hat trick! A clever low through ball by Hendrick and Robinson slots it calmly past the keeper.
Early corner in this half for Ireland, but the referee spotted a foul by Shane Duffy in the area and its a free-kick to Qatar.
We are underway for the second half, Ireland will be shooting towards the away end for this half, unusual by all accounts.
A half time substitute here and Matt Doherty is off and Cyrus Christie is in
HALF TIME: Ireland with a brace of goals thanks to Callum Robinson in a game that at times has felt like a friendly but Ireland look comfortable and are playing exceptionally well in periods.
Two minutes of added time here, Ireland looking very comfortable on the ball at the moment but Qatar look dangerous and fast on the counterattack.
A fantastic break from Qatar on the counter-attack and just as Ali is about to strike an inch-perfect tackle from Jamie McGrath breaks down the attack.
OFF THE BAR! What a chance as Ogbene heads a powerful header towards the goal that has beaten Barsham but the crossbar denies him, Qatar clear the lines at the second chance of asking.
Alhaydos breaks down the left and looks certain to cause Ireland some issues only for Shane Duffy to get a foot in with some excellent defending. There is a corner to Qatar which goes wide of everyone and Ireland clear.
Some excellent work rate from Jamie McGrath to link up with Callum Robinson which forces Qatar to concede a corner, Hourihane's cross from the corner is met by Egan but it goes over the bar by inches.
Qatar having a spell of posession here, there is a crowd that has either travelled or is based in Ireland here tonight supporting the Maroon but every time the side gets near Kelleher's goal there is a rise in noise from the away end.
Doherty comes off for treatment but looks set to continue, he is back in the play as Qatar are on the attack.
A great cross in and John Egan header towards goal goes wide, very close to a third.
No Ireland player had scored in successive games since Jon Walters against Uruguay and Austria in June 2017. Callum Robinson now has four in one and a bit of games.
Just in relation to the lead up to the goal, Jamie McGrath cut into the area and was felled, the referee took a second before pointing to the spot.
Ireland get a second! Callum Robinson sends the goalkeeper the wrong way and Ireland lead by two!
Penalty Ireland!
Very close for a second as a deep cross sent in and Ogbene nearly gets a touch!
Ireland is in the blue century jersey tonight, Qatar playing in white.
GOAL FOR IRELAND: Who else? Callum Robinson with his third goal in two games as he hits a spectacular curling effort that goes into the top right-hand corner, it took a slight nick en route but that is a great start for Ireland.
There are five changes for Ireland: In: Kelleher, Stevens, Hourihane, Ogbene, McGrath Out: Bazunu, McClean, Cullen, Idah, Horgan
Irish players take the knee again before kickoff. Qatar players opt against joining in but some of them do applaud.
Good Evening from the Aviva Stadium, Ciaran Callan here reporting from the heights of the Aviva Stadium.