Republic of Ireland V Georgia:
The Republic of Ireland continued their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign against Georgia on Thursday night as the 'Bhoys in Green' looked to improve on their score draw with Serbia in the opening game of the qualifiers. Martin O'Neil named a strong side with Shane Long leading the line while Jeff Hendrick continued in midfield after his goal scoring exploits against Serbia. The Aviva stadium in the capital in Dublin, were hoping by for a dominant preformance from the home side.
The Rebublic had an 100% record against the Georgians, winning every time they faced them. The away side got us underway for the first 45 with Ireland pressing high early on. West Brom winger James McClean gave away a free kick after a decent ball as he made his way into the area in the left flank. Ireland had an early chance when a sloppy pass let in Shane Long before he was brought down as he squared for McClean who's attempt was blocked. Georgia's back four were dealing with James McClean well throughout the opening 10 minutes with the former Wigan man apparently the main outlet when in the final third. Georgia created arguably the games best chance after a good pass found the right winger who used his footwork to find some space before his cross fell to the forward who turned but fortunately for the statuesque Irish defence, fired wide off Darren Randolph's post. At the other end, Shane Long made a good run but his cross was easily collected by the Georgian shot stopper. With just under a half hour played at the Aviva, the Irish side were failing to find a way to break down the solid Georgian back 4. Georgia suddenly sprung into life as a bullet head was only kept out by the crossbar before the rebound was then again stopped by Darren Randolph's bar as it was eventually hooked clear. At the other end, Shane Long seen his flick go just over the bar with the away side looking the more likely to find the breakthrough. With just under 5 minutes left in the half, James McClean seen his cross into the area punched clear by the keeper. A good ball over the top was kept out by Randolph as the away side were pushing for the opening goal. The referee sound the half time whistle with the Georgian side unlucky not to be a goal or two to the good.
Ireland got us started for the second half with Seamus Coleman seeing an early cross blocked. James McCarthey was then brought off to receive some treatment after a a rash high footed tackle caught him on the arm. Moments later, Ireland had what could be argued a goal against the run of play, after an inspired run from captain Seamus Coleman seen him make his way to the byline before finding the net from close range. Ireland were only denied a two goal lead before the hour mark after James McClean volleyed home from an offside position. A stinging shot from James McClean caught the Georgian keeper off guard as he clawed the ball before it crossed the line. With just under twenty minutes to play, a good chance for Georgia was wasted as they fired high and wide once the edge of the area. A clash of head between Robbie Brady and the Georgian defender seen the Norwich City winger momentarily unconscious as Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan replaced him as Martin O'Neil looked to side up the Ireland midfield. Burnley club record signing Jeff Hendrick then picked up a yellow card that would prove to rule him out of Sunday's trip to Moldova after a high footed challenge. After the prolonged delay with Robbie Brady's head injury, the fourth official inidicated a minimum of seven minutes of added time would be played as the Georgians were hoping for a late equaliser in what proved to be a quite second half. James McClean went close again as his run was picked out but his headed attempt cannoned back off the bar and bounced behind the keeper but not behind the line. Southampton forward Shane Long looked to have hurt his leg as former Manchester United defender John O' Shea replaced him for the final minutes. A much better second half from the Republic earned them three points as they head to Moldova on Sunday as they looked to remain unbeaten.
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Ross
The Rebublic had an 100% record against the Georgians, winning every time they faced them. The away side got us underway for the first 45 with Ireland pressing high early on. West Brom winger James McClean gave away a free kick after a decent ball as he made his way into the area in the left flank. Ireland had an early chance when a sloppy pass let in Shane Long before he was brought down as he squared for McClean who's attempt was blocked. Georgia's back four were dealing with James McClean well throughout the opening 10 minutes with the former Wigan man apparently the main outlet when in the final third. Georgia created arguably the games best chance after a good pass found the right winger who used his footwork to find some space before his cross fell to the forward who turned but fortunately for the statuesque Irish defence, fired wide off Darren Randolph's post. At the other end, Shane Long made a good run but his cross was easily collected by the Georgian shot stopper. With just under a half hour played at the Aviva, the Irish side were failing to find a way to break down the solid Georgian back 4. Georgia suddenly sprung into life as a bullet head was only kept out by the crossbar before the rebound was then again stopped by Darren Randolph's bar as it was eventually hooked clear. At the other end, Shane Long seen his flick go just over the bar with the away side looking the more likely to find the breakthrough. With just under 5 minutes left in the half, James McClean seen his cross into the area punched clear by the keeper. A good ball over the top was kept out by Randolph as the away side were pushing for the opening goal. The referee sound the half time whistle with the Georgian side unlucky not to be a goal or two to the good.
Ireland got us started for the second half with Seamus Coleman seeing an early cross blocked. James McCarthey was then brought off to receive some treatment after a a rash high footed tackle caught him on the arm. Moments later, Ireland had what could be argued a goal against the run of play, after an inspired run from captain Seamus Coleman seen him make his way to the byline before finding the net from close range. Ireland were only denied a two goal lead before the hour mark after James McClean volleyed home from an offside position. A stinging shot from James McClean caught the Georgian keeper off guard as he clawed the ball before it crossed the line. With just under twenty minutes to play, a good chance for Georgia was wasted as they fired high and wide once the edge of the area. A clash of head between Robbie Brady and the Georgian defender seen the Norwich City winger momentarily unconscious as Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan replaced him as Martin O'Neil looked to side up the Ireland midfield. Burnley club record signing Jeff Hendrick then picked up a yellow card that would prove to rule him out of Sunday's trip to Moldova after a high footed challenge. After the prolonged delay with Robbie Brady's head injury, the fourth official inidicated a minimum of seven minutes of added time would be played as the Georgians were hoping for a late equaliser in what proved to be a quite second half. James McClean went close again as his run was picked out but his headed attempt cannoned back off the bar and bounced behind the keeper but not behind the line. Southampton forward Shane Long looked to have hurt his leg as former Manchester United defender John O' Shea replaced him for the final minutes. A much better second half from the Republic earned them three points as they head to Moldova on Sunday as they looked to remain unbeaten.
Please like, comment and follow for daily football news and opinions.
Requests:markeyross198.RM@gmail.com
Ross
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