Republic of Ireland humiliated by Luxembourg and Gerson Rodrigues – The Guardian

Stephen Kenny stated he did not desire another gallant defeat. This historical ignominy was not what he wanted. Gerson Rodrigues’s strong long-range objective 5 minutes from time made Luxembourg a popular win that leaves Ireland’s World Cup credentials aspirations hanging by the skimpiest of threads and Kenny under heavy pressure. His record as supervisor checks out: played 10, won 0.

Kenny has actually been unfortunate, never ever able to field a full-strength side, however Luxembourg, ranked 98th worldwide, are the lowest-calibre challengers he has actually dealt with and were expected to be the side versus whom he supervised his very first win. Rather Ireland tumbled to a brand-new low, with defeat the effect of a grim efficiency. Meagre ability, very little passion. Whereas there were positives amidst Wednesday’s loss in Serbia, this was an unvarnished flop.

” It was a terrible night, a humiliating night,” stated captain Séamus Coleman. “It appeared like we didn’t have belief in ourselves. We didn’t require the ball as much as we ought to have and seek to break them down. We got what we was worthy of, which was absolutely nothing.”

Coleman did not look for to move obligation on to the supervisor.

” As gamers we have actually got to weather the storm now. We’re going to get criticism and it will be should have criticism. I have actually never ever concealed behind supervisors at club level and I do not do it at worldwide level. As gamers we ought to have had enough on the pitch to get an outcome. We required to reveal some character and we didn’t do that.”

Kenny was aghast by his group’s screen, stating: “It’s not appropriate to lose in the way that we did.” Asked whether he feared for his task, he responded that he did not. “All of us have problems sometimes however I have outright conviction that I can do a great task here. Tonight does not back that up, I understand that. We need to accept that criticism and battle harder, do much better.”

The most worrying thing for Ireland was that Luxembourg’s objective did not come as a shock. The visitors, who got here on the back of losing to Qatar on Wednesday, had actually looked comfy for the majority of the match and developed more possibilities in a video game of couple of.

Kenny had actually required a quick start by his group however the visitors threatened in the 2nd minute, as a curling shot from the edge of the location by Vincent Thill drew a wise conserve from Gavin Bazunu, the 19-year-old goalkeeper whose type this season for Rochdale, where he is on loan from Manchester City, encouraged Kenny to offer him a senior worldwide launching. Bazunu’s efficiency was the only brilliant note on a bleak night for Ireland, although they would have chosen him to have actually been less hectic.

Kenny had actually likewise worried the requirement for zippy passing to unhinge Luxembourg however his group were ponderous. They never ever discovered rhythm in the face of energetic pushing.

Not up until the 18th minute did Ireland summon a shot and it originated from the sort of complex relocation that Kenny supporters. Bazunu began it at the back and Collins almost completed it at the other end, moving in to fulfill a cross from the left by Callum Robison. Goalkeeper Anthony Moris made a great conserve. The start of an attack? Vice versa. Ireland did not work another opening in the half and nearly suffered a shock right before the break when Rodrigues sent out a lob towards objective from over 20 backyards. Bazunu backpedalled quickly to prevent being beaten in the exact same method that Travers protested Serbia.

Robbie Brady, a half-time alternative, brought a twinkle of resourcefulness to Ireland’s forward play however still they rarely looked efficient in permeating. Bazunu needed to make another conserve to hinder Vincent Thill as Luxembourg grew in self-confidence. Rodrigues provided success when he rammed an outstanding low drive beyond the defenseless Bazunu from 25 backyards.