World Cup Qualifying Group D: Republic of Ireland 0 Wales 0
SADLY, this game between Celtic neighbours will be remembered for the horrific leg-breaking tackle on Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman.
Nobody in the Aviva press box needed confirmation at the time that the Everton man had suffered a serious injury.
The television pictures said everything.
Neil Taylor, the Welsh wing-back, was immediately dismissed by Italian referee Nicola Rozzoli on 68 minutes for a reckless tackle on the Donegal man.
Up to that point, this 2018 World Cup qualifier in Dublin was instantly forgettable.
Incensed by the images of Coleman receiving oxygen as he was stretchered off the field, the home crowd turned up the volume and it nearly paid off.
The Irish huffed and puffed in the closing stages but couldn’t quite break down the Welsh defence.
James McClean, posting another man-of-the-match display, came closest with a right-footed drive on 74 minutes that was deflected just past the Welsh upright
With the visitors willing the final whistle, 80th minute substitute Aiden McGeady showed some brilliant flashes that almost unlocked the Welsh defence.
But the goal never came for the Irish.
In fact, the best effort on the night came courtesy of Gareth Bale.
With just six minutes of normal time remaining the Real Madrid star charged down Ireland’s left flank before unleashing a shot that was inches away from ending up in the home side’s net.
Despite playing the Republic off the park in the first half, it was Wales who will feel like they escaped out of the Irish capital with a point and their qualification hopes still intact.
As for the Republic, they remain joint top of Group D alongside Serbia who dismissed Georgia in last night’s earlier kick-off.
Martin O’Neill was forced into making five changes to the side that defeated Austria 1-0 in Vienna last November.
Central defensive pair Ciaran Clark and Shane Duffy, midfielders Harry Arter, Wes Hoolahan and the suspended Robbie Brady sat out last night’s World Cup qualifier.
James McCarthy, expected to return after a hamstring strain, was named to start last night but pulled out in the warm-up and Hull City’s David Meyler was drafted in.
Despite the doom and gloom at various press conferences in the build-up, O’Neill was still able to field nine of the side that featured in Ireland’s opening qualifier against Serbia.
Experienced pair Richard Keogh and John O’Shea were ready-made replacements for Duffy and Clark, while Meyler slotted in beside Glenn Whelan following McCarthy’s late withdrawal.
By contrast, Wales manager Chris Coleman was able to select a full strength side with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey making timely returns for their clubs Real Madrid and Arsenal in recent weeks.
Given the technical superiority of the Welsh midfield it was therefore no surprise that the visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.
Described as the Pirlo of Wales by former Ireland boss Brian Kerr, most of the visitors’ play revolved around the deep-lying Joe Allen.
With Joe Ledley acting as his midfield ‘minder’, Allen got on a lot of ball and funnelled clever passes into the feet of Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
There was an enviable fluidity about Wales’ play as the Republic players chased shadows for quite a bit of the opening half.
The fact that the visitors were much better in retaining possession allowed their wing-backs Neil Taylor and Chris Gunter to get chalk on their boots which gave a strung-out look to Ireland’s back four.
But still the Welsh couldn’t penetrate.
Just as in last summer’s Euros, Wales looked so at home playing 3-5-2 in Dublin last night.
They had more structure, more creativity and more fluency to their play.
By comparison, the home side looked slightly dysfunctional and lacking in options when they gained possession.
The Republic’s attacking play was virtually non-existent, epitomised by Keogh’s unnecessary and fairly agricultural punt forward in the 16th minute under minimal pressure.
Indeed, the only time the sell-out crowd were roused was when Bale was dispossessed.
And it happened on more than one occasion in the opening period.
McClean, wearing the number five jersey in memory of his friend and Derry City captain Ryan McBride, who passed away last weekend, made a brilliant tackle on the Real Madrid star in the fourth minute.
Stephen Ward drew warm applause for pinching the ball off the great Welshman’s toe while Coleman did likewise with a fantastic last-ditch interception.
That was the sum total of the first half highlights from an Irish perspective.
And while it made for a frustrating spectacle for the home supporters, Wales didn’t pose a noteworthy threat to Darren Randolph’s goal in the first 45 minutes.
Given their slip-ups to Group D opponents Georgia and Serbia, the onus was on the visitors to do more attacking.
And they came out in the second half with renewed vigour. Bale saw his 48th minute free-kick collected by Randolph and moments later the Welsh wizard stood up Whelan before slipping beyond him to fire just wide from 25
yards.
Moments before Coleman’s horrific injury, Bale could easily have broken O’Shea’s leg when he stretched to meet Chris Gunter’s dangerous cross.
A yellow card was issued before Rizzoli reached for red when Taylor clattered into Coleman.
To happen to one of the most honest players to ever represent the Republic angered the home crowd even more.
Wales might have held the upper hand in the first half but when they went down to 10 men they were lucky not to concede.
While the Republic’s World Cup prospects couldn’t be better, it was Seamus Coleman rather than Russia that was on everybody’s mind last night.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND PLAYER RATINGS
Darren Randolph: A little jittery when dealing with Bale’s early second half free-kick and was thankful to see a couple more second half efforts from the Welsh ace breeze past his upright. 6
Seamus Coleman: On the receiving end of a horror leg-breaking tackle from Neil Taylor in the 69th minute and the Welshman was immediately red-carded. Watching the Donegal man being stretchered off receiving oxygen infuriated the home crowd. 6
Stephen Ward:Strictly no frills. Very solid first half and positioned himself well to the threat of raiding wing-back Chris Gunter. Left space behind him that Bale almost punished in the closing stages.7
John O’Shea:Made a brilliant second half clearance that could easily have resulted in a leg break after Gareth Bale caught him on the shin in trying to reach Gunter’s cross. Defended well. 6
Richard Keogh: Headed wide from Whelan’s second half corner. Had little trouble with Hal Robson-Kanu and later Sam Vokes. A reasonably comfortable night. 6
Glenn Whelan: Does what Glenn Whelan does best. Killed the space in front of his back four and was no more than neat in possession. Landed a nasty elbow into the throat of his Stoke City club-mate Joe Allen towards the end of the first half. More productive in the latter stages with more space. 6
David Meyler: Quite literally, Ireland’s 12th man. Rated highly enough by O’Neill for him to get the nod after James McCarthy pulled out in the warm-up. Coughed up possession a couple of times but had good physical presence that disrupted Wales at times. 6
Jeff Hendrick:Looked a little leggy and was badly caught in possession by Aaron Ramsey in the 38th minute that put the Irish defence in difficulty. He’s a player that you want on the ball but spent most of the night chasing after red jerseys. 5
Jonathan Walters: The usual toil from the Stoke City attacker. Although he doesn’t mind an aerial battle there were little options to flick the ball on to. 5
Shane Long:The supply up to the Southampton striker was lamentable and so it’s difficult to judge him too harshly. Had a snap shot in the 62nd minute and chased lost causes all night. 6
STAR MAN
James McClean:Tried to set a high tempo with a fine tackle on Gareth Bale early on. Two free-kicks hit the Welsh wall and was desperately unlucky with a right-footed effort that was deflected wide in the second half. Scores heavily for sheer effort. 8
SUBSTITUTES
Cyrus Christie:A little anxious in defence but keen to get forward in the time that he was on the field. 5
Aiden McGeady: Enlivened the Irish attack in the final 10 minutes with a couple of mazy dribbles and fine crosses, but no cigar. 7
