European Championships 2021 semi-final play-off: Slovakia 0 Republic of Ireland 0 (Slovakia win 4-2 on penalties)
IRELAND’S Euro 2021 dream was smashed into a million pieces after last night’s heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava.
The luckless Irish had enough chances to win the game in normal time and in extra-time – but two misses from Alan Browne and Matt Doherty in the shoot-out put paid to Ireland hosting the cream of Europe in Dublin next summer.
The Slovaks converted their four penalties while Browne saw his spot-kick saved by Marek Rodak. And when Jan Gregus’s audacious chipped penalty evaded Darren Randolph’s left hand, Doherty had to score to keep the Irish afloat.
But the Spurs man saw his effort crash against the crossbar and Ireland’s hopes were dashed.
Ireland deserved more for their efforts on the night. They had a good half dozen chances to finish the job but couldn't take any of them. Slovakia had chances themselves but they appeared the more relieved to reach penalties after 120 scoreless minutes.
And there was plenty of drama before a ball was kicked in Bratislava last night.
Just as the Republic thought they’d been dealt a better Covid hand than their hosts, their own pre-match preparations were thrown into chaos when Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah had to be removed from the squad after being deemed a ‘close contact’ of the second backroom team member who tested positive on the eve of the game.
Connolly definitely would have started, Idah probably not – but it required a significant tactical reshuffle by Stephen Kenny.
James McClean took over the left flank duties from Connolly and Callum Robinson was preferred to Callum O’Dowda down the right side.
Whether it was personnel or the manager’s preference, Kenny opted to change from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 with Conor Hourihane and James McCarthy playing at the base of midfield with Jeff Hendrick playing just behind lone striker David McGoldrick.
Stanislav Lobotka, the team playmaker, and Inter Milan central defender Milan Skriniar were Covid casualties for the hosts.
Right from the first whistle, there was infinitely more tempo and urgency about the Irish team compared to the decidedly anaemic displays in the Nations League last month.
Hendrick seemed to enjoy the freedom of the number 10 position without making an incisive forward passes. Robinson was also lively and put in a couple of decent centres. McGoldrick showed snatches of quality too and had a half chance midway through the first half.
Slovakia were thoroughly underwhelming in the opening exchanges and seemed to be missing the leadership of Lobodka and Skriniar in midfield and in defence, respectively.
The visitors appeared the more likely to break the deadlock but they had to wait 37 minutes for a decent sight of the Slovak goal when James McClean scuffed his effort when well placed, allowing Valjent to clear the danger.
Up to that point, the Slovaks were trying to barge their way through the middle of the Irish defence with little joy but McClean’s chance seemed to spur them into action.
On the stroke of half-time, Ireland showed their vulnerability to the counter-attack when from a corner Slovakia broke and needed Darren Randolph’s left hand to keep out Ondrej Duda’s low curling effort and from the resultant corner the same player saw his acrobatic overhead kick breeze past the post.
In a second half that was crying out for a hero, substitute Alan Browne, introduced for the injured James McCarthy on the hour mark, drilled his effort too near goalkeeper Rodak after sumptuous play from Enda Stevens and McGoldrick.
Hamsik, who flitted in and out of last night's nervy encounter, picked out Lukas Haraslin with a beautiful pass - even though Doherty should have cut the danger out - and the Slovak substitute's low drive beat Randolph but not big Shane Duffy who had the presence of mind to guard the empty goal.
Undoubtedly the best chance of normal time fell to Conor Hourihane on 85 minutes after a weaving run from the increasingly influential McGoldrick. In a desperate scramble Browne picked out the unmarked Cork man but his tame effort from six yards out was blocked by Jara Kucka.
Despite the game opening up in the second half, there was an inevitability about extra-time. The two sides shared a chance apiece in the early exchanges: McGoldrick had a decent effort from the edge of the penalty box and Raslin had a good chance of Slovakia.
The visitors looked the more dangerous of the two sides and in the 105th minute they should really have gone in front. Enda Stevens slipped the ball down the left side to O’Dowda but Browne’s clever flicked effort from close range came back off the Slovakia post.
Ireland should have sealed the deal in open play but those two shoot-out misses from Browne and Doherty sent Slovakia through to next month’s play-off final. No Ireland in Dublin next summer.
What a painful prospect.
It's probably just as well Sunday’s Nations League match against Wales in Dublin is being played behind closed doors after last night's miserable conclusion.
Darren Randolph: Made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Duda on the stoke of half-time. The West Ham ‘keeper was dominant throughout and was the less busy of the two keepers in normal time and extra-time. So unlucky in the penalty shoot-out. 7
Matt Doherty: By his own admission, his performances on the international stage fall short of his own high standards. Quite an introverted first half display, posed a threat going forward in the second half but still some loose defending. Missed the spot-kick that sent Slovakia through. 5
Enda Stevens: The Sheffield United defender was quietly efficient in the opening half and made a few over-lapping runs for McClean. Not afraid to push deep into enemy territory with some brilliant passes in the final third. 7
John Egan: The fact that Slovakia tried to punch holes through the centre suited the Sheffield United man. Brought the ball out of defence on numerous occasions and defended well even if Slovakia didn’t have a central attacking threat. 7
Shane Duffy: Encouraged to come out with the ball and operated with a higher line than usual, always dangerous from set pieces and made a goal-line clearance. Looked fitter too compared to last month. 7
James McCarthy: Stephen Kenny’s first choice midfield anchor man, the Crystal Palace player kept a close watch on Marek Hamsik in the opening half and was doing a tidy job in front of the back four until injury ended his night on the hour mark. 6
Conor Hourihane: Hit some lovely first half passes but also saw some go astray. His passes were better in the second half but he will have nightmares over not converting his chance with five minutes of normal time remaining. Did convert his spot-kick. 6
Jeff Hendrick: Played in advanced central role – probably his favourite position – and looked lively in the opening half. Drifted out of the game for a period as he dropped into a more orthodox central midfield role. A mixed night. 6
Callum Robinson: Picked ahead of Callum O’Dowda and as a consequence gave more natural width to Ireland’s right side. Got a couple of decent crosses in before being replaced by O’Dowda in extra-time. 6
David McGoldrick: Assured in possession and had a half chance in the opening half. He was the architect of any decent attacks the Republic mounted in the second half. Ran himself into the ground before being replaced by Shane Long in extra-time. 8
James McClean: A surprise inclusion after Aaron Connolly was ruled out of the squad. The Derry man had the best chance of the first half but dragged his effort. A bit predictable in his play and was replaced by Robbie Brady. 5
Subs:
Robbie Brady: Still looked a little leggy but knitted play well and did add a bit of quality to the attack. 6
Alan Browne: Offered more of an attacking threat. Had two great efforts with one coming back off the post. 7
Callum O’Dowda: Offered a bit more penetration and set up Browne for his second chance. 6
Shane Long: Didn’t get into the game in extra-time after replacing McGoldrick. 5
