0 v 1 
LuxembourgDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 March 2021 | 7:45 pm | Men's Senior | 2020/21 |
Match Report
Ireland fall to Luxembourg Defeat
Ireland’s dream for a place at the World Cup in Qatar seems to be over before it even starts as Gerson Rodrigues solitary strike in the 85th minute was a moment of class that shone a light on a game that was tight and tense from the start.
The difference was a clinical strike from a player who was the only player on the pitch to play in the Champions League.
During the line-ups, Gerson Rodrigues looked ready and intent on making an impact and left the Aviva Stadium after putting a massive dent in Stephen Kenny’s quest for a place at the World Cup. Despite ample possession, creation from midfield it’s the lack of finishing and tempo upfront that cost us in the long run.
“It's a shocking result, it's an embarrassing result. That's on us as players we should be embarrassed.” reflected Seamus Coleman after the game.
“We need to give a good hard look at ourselves, there is no words for that out there that is just embarrassing.”
“We got to show some pride in the shirt” commented Coleman on what needs to change for Ireland going forward.
Stephen Kenny said that “I can't tell you how disappointed I am in losing that game.”
“It's a terrible result and we can't hide from that it's a really disappointing result and it's not good enough.
“It's disappointing overall it is completely unacceptable and I'm very disappointed in that.”
This hurts to all involved in Irish football, but at the moment the gap is currently four points, it's not six. In six months the world will hopefully be a very different place and hope that the injuries, bad luck and COVID will be gone and Kenny can deploy what he feels to be his actual strongest side.
Stephen Kenny made three changes to his starting line up that lost to Serbia last Wednesday; Mark Travers, Aaron Connolly and Jason Molumby came out of the starting line-up and were replaced by James Collins, Gavin Bazunu and Jason Knight. The introduction of Bazunu who the bright light in what was a dark night.
Both sides had sights on goal with Vincent Thill having the first shot on target for Luxembourg with a low drive but Gavin Bazunu looked confident on the ball and commanding his defence off it was equal to the effort.
Ireland began to grow into the tie and had plenty of possession and the first opportunity for the home side came when Seamus Coleman sent in a cross into the area which was met by Alan Browne but he couldn’t replicate his Serbia heroics by directing his header goalwards.
The fine margins at this level are when that extra moment of quality was produced, it looked as if James Collins had conjured that when he went very close to opening the scoring as he met a low cross sent into the area that was sent in by Callum Robinson, Anthony Morris Luxembourg’s keeper denied Collins with a fine save to block the ball to go out for a corner. Margins.
“Compared to the performance in Serbia it was chalk and cheese” commented Stephen Kenny following the match “When we did get chances in the game, we lacked composure and that's disappointing”.
Gerson Rodrigues showed his teeth and step above abilities when he made Ciaran Clark work to excellently block an attempt from Gerson Rodrigues who looked to test Bazunu with an effort from the edge of the area. He would have time to do that much later on.
Gerson Rodrigues was quick to add another attempt to his tally on goal with a high looping effort that Bazunu had to be alert to. He did brilliantly to firstly parry the ball and then cover it on the second attempt. It was excellent save full of composure and quality, Bazunu has a bright future ahead for Ireland.
Matt Doherty’s departure saw a defensive change to the side and Robbie Brady was brought on for a more creative outlet. His impact saw him send in free-kick sent and it was met once again by Browne but his effort just went wide of the post. Luxembourg continued to threaten on the break and Vincent Thill forced Gavin Bazunu to save with his feet following after a low shot aimed for the keepers near post. Callum Robinson had another big opportunity on goal but his shot went over the bar.
“We knew that we didn't underestimate Luxembourg we watched our games against Ukraine.” Spoke Kenny
“I take responsibility for changing the system”
“We played 3-5-2 and I take responsibility for that”
James Collins had a golden opportunity once again after some quick forward play saw Robbie Brady send in a cross into the area to which Collins’ overhead kick hit the side netting. At this level and when you are looking to win the game, technicolour is not what is needed when black and white will do.
The game turned on its head in the 85th minute when the sound of the hearts of a nation breaking with the single shot on goal. Gerson Rodrigues latched onto a route one long ball from Anthony Moris he turned goalward and hit a low effort with the pace that Bazunu could not save. The sound of the opposition bench ecstatic cheers cold and hollow like that stadium that was echoed in.
“Anything I say will sound like excuses but it's just got good enough,” Kenny said post-match
“It's just not acceptable to lose at home like that.”
Following the full-time whistle attention immediately turned to is this the breaking point in Stephen Kenny’s tenure. This is a results-based business and is his job under the careful eye of Johnathan Hill the FAI’s new CEO? “That's not even in question” asserted Kenny
“We have to accept the criticism that comes our way.”
“It's a bad night it's a very bad night. But we got to dust ourselves down and go again we are all gutted.”
Ireland: Gavin Bazunu (GK), Seamus Coleman ©,Enda Stevens, Ciaran Clark, Jason Knight, Matt Doherty, Alan Browne, James Collins , Callum Robinson , Josh Cullen, Dara O'Shea.
SUBS: Mark Travers (GK), Kieran O'Hara (GK), Shane Duffy, Robbie Brady, James McClean, Jeff Hendrick, Daryl Horgan, Jayson Molumby, Shane Long, Troy Parrott , Darragh Lenihan, Cyrus Christie.
Luxembourg: Anthony Moris (GK), Maxime Chanot, Enes Mahmutovic, Christopher Martins, Danel Sinani, Gerson Rodrigues, Vincent Thill, Olivier Thill, Leandro Barreiro (C) , Laurent Jans, Marvin Martins.
SUBS: Ralph Schon (GK), Lucas Fox (GK), Florian Bohnert, Timothe Rupil, Lars Gerson, Eldin Dzogovic, Maurice Deville, Michael Pinto, Aldin Skenderovic, Edvin Muratovic , Sébastien Thill.
Referee Fran Jović (CRO)
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.
FULL TIME: A heartbreaking night for Ireland, full of hopeful expectation. It was all ripped apart thanks to Gerson Rodrigues.
Four added minutes
Parrott comes on
Collins leaves the game
And on comes Molumby.
Cullen will be replaced
And Luxembourg takes the lead, Gerson Rodrigues from a goal kick turns and hits a long-range strike to put Luxembourg in the lead.
Cullen is booked for a foul.
Maurice Deville is on to replace Thill.
Vincent Thill is off for Luxembourg
Vincent Thill is off for Luxembourg
Another deep cross into the area but Shane Long couldn't get a head to it. A big chance once again
Shane Long almost made an immediate impact, a cross from Brady was met by the Bournmouth striker but Moris was equal to it.
Callum Robinson had a good game here tonight, he is replaced by Shane Long.
That was the best move of the half, some quick passing move saw Robbie Brady send the ball into the area with an inch-perfect cross, Collin hits it with a fantastic overhead kick which hits the side netting.
The ball falls to Robinson on the edge of the area, he lets one fly but it goes over the bar.
Bazunu is forced to make two excellent saves to deny Vincent Thill as Ireland with the changes look to have lost their defensive shape somehow.
Clark comes off.
McClean comes on as an extra attacking option.
Laurent Jans gets booked for a foul.
Robbie Brady sends in another free-kick but Anthony Moris does well to gather it under pressure.
Another great chance! Robbie Brady with an excellent free-kick sent into the area was met by Alan Browne with a free header but it goes wide!
Olivier Thill hits a powerful free-kick that Bazunu did have covered by the pace of it could have caused him an issue of on target.
Brady charges down the left and sends in a teasing cross into the area, it is met by Alan Browne who couldn't get the ball from under his feet and it is eventually cleared.
Robbie Brady comes on for the 56th time in a green jersey.
Looks like that change is needed. He went down injured in the first half.
HALF TIME: The tale of two keepers. Bazunu very impressive to deny Gerson Rodrigues and Anthony Moris to deny James Collins. It's been a very impressive half for Ireland.
James Collins goes in to attack a cross but it's a foul and he doesn't look impressed with the Luxembourg keeper.
One added minute here.
Gerson Rodrigues once again tries to lob Bazunu from range with a high looping effort. Bazunu does excellently to firstly parry the ball down and push away the danger before collecting on the second attempt. A fine save.
Gerson Rodrigues tries to test Bazunu with an effort on the edge of the area however it is blocked by Ciaran Clark.
Irelands pass completion rate is much higher than that of Luxembourg. 252 vs. 144
Despite the oncoming danger Bazunu is cool under pressure to collect the ball with ease.
Some excellent work from Callum Robinson won Ireland a corner, Alan Browne had two chances to send it in but both chances were cleared.
A real tight affair here, Luxembourg no pushovers and Ireland really pressing to pick the lock. Kenny bellows 'C'mon Browne we need you" as the midfielder is looking to make an impact.
WHAT A CHANCE! A brilliant run from Callum Robinson was met by James Collins and the keeper Anthony Moris does excellently to save.
Vincent Thill sends in a dangerous high free-kick which is headed over for a corner, the corner is played short and the danger is cleared by Jason Knight.
On the big screens at the Aviva Stadium is a message of support for Alan McLaughlin at the 14th minute, the number he wore for that famous goal in Northern Ireland. Alan is currently ill and we wish him the very best in his recovery.
Olivier Thill gets a caution following a foul on Jason Knight.
There was concern there for Matt Doherty as he went down and got some attention from the medical team. He is back on much to the relief of Stephen Kenny.
A great cross into the area was met by Alan Browne but he couldn't direct his header.
Ireland is looking to press high and Luxembourg must have been watching the game film. Every time there is fast movement and press forward they become compact and tight in their system. Ireland have had plenty of possession so far.
Vincent Thill tries his luck to test Bazunu from the edge of the area but it is well saved. Routine save in reality but good for him to get the first touch of the ball.
And here we go! Callum Robinson kicks off us and we are underway at the Aviva Stadium.
Whatever the result tonight, Gavin Bazunu, Jason Knight and Dara O'Shea are going to bring a lot to the Irish side over the next decade. All regarded as having great attitudes, willingness to learn and looking to play under Stephen Kenny's philosophy.
And here come the teams. Our next step on the road to Qatar begins tonight at home for Stephen Kenny and his players.
Richie Sadlier talking on RTE is asked is tonight the night we will see an Ireland win? "Yes, I think it is - I'd love if we were talking about a clean sheet"
Luxembourg's starting eleven has scored a combined twenty three international goals. Ireland's starting eleven has scored nine.
Referee Fran Jovic and Stephen Kenny are renewing acquaintances from having been involved in a match together before. Jovic was the man in the middle when Stephen Kenny suffered his toughest European defeat as Dundalk manager when they were beaten 4-0 by AEK Larnaca.
Jan Oblak has now had his record taken off him as the youngest goalkeeper to play in a European World Cup qualifier is now Gavin Bazunu. The nineteen-year-old was born in February 2002. At that time Stephen Kenny was manager of Bohemians.
Ireland will line out in a 3-4-1-2 formation. It is said that Alan Browne will play in that '1' role Stephen Kenny has just said that: "We take plenty of confidence into the game and we're determined to win tonight..."
The Republic of Ireland last played Luxembourg in a competitive fixture way back in 1987. Ireland won 2-1 with goals from Frank Stapleton and Paul McGrath. Jack Charlton however was not one bit happy with the performance at the time. In total Ireland have scored fourteen goals against Luxembourg and conceded just one goal. The solitary goalscorer? A man named Armin Krings.
A quote from League of Ireland great and goalkeeper Gary Rogers on tonights line up: "Great to see Gavin Bazunu starting, cant help but feel he should have started v Serbia, he is man in form and playing every week. If ever a team needed a win its tonight."
Mark Travers, Jason Molumby and Aaron Connolly come out of the side tonight. Say what you like about Kenny he hasn't shirked the decision in relation to the goalkeeper.
So here are the main points to tonights team news for Ireland: Gavin Bazunu the former Shamrock Rovers player and current Manchester City makes his senior debut tonight. James Collins comes into the line up for the injured Aaron Connolly Jason Knight comes into the midfield.
Good Evening everyone and welcome to tonights live coverage of the Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg. Ciaran Callan here to take you through the action as Stephen Kenny looks to get his first win since taking over as manager of the national side. Let us hope that tonight the boys in green can get a result they deserve.