Caoimhín Kelleher played a pivotal role as the Republic of Ireland suffered a 2-0 defeat to Greece in their UEFA Nations League fixture. The Liverpool goalkeeper produced several impressive saves in the first half, keeping his side in the game amidst heavy Greek pressure. However, Kelleher's performance was marred by a late mistake, gifting Greece a second goal in stoppage time. This error came after Petros Mantalos intercepted his pass, securing Greece's victory and extending their 100% record in the competition.
Kelleher's blunder came after Ireland had fought to stay competitive. Despite the final scoreline, Ireland displayed moments of resilience, particularly during the first half, where they managed to hold off the Greeks despite relentless attacks. However, the visitors failed to convert their limited chances, with Evan Ferguson coming closest early in the game.
Greek Dominance and Tactical Adjustments
The match was played in front of a vocal home crowd of over 30,000 at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. Greece, buoyed by their recent 2-1 victory over England, dominated possession from the outset. Their high-tempo play and quick transitions kept the Irish defense on their heels for much of the match. Captain Anastasios Bakasetas opened the scoring early in the second half with a deflected shot, breaking the deadlock just three minutes after the restart.
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson made tactical changes in response to Greece's dominance. Notably, Troy Parrott was moved deeper to help absorb the pressure from Greece’s fluid attacking movements. Hallgrimsson's adjustments did slow down the Greek assault temporarily, but Ireland struggled to maintain any sustained control of the game.
Ireland's Missed Opportunities
Ireland did create some chances in the latter stages, particularly after introducing substitutes Jack Taylor and Festy Ebosele. Taylor, making his debut, injected energy into Ireland’s attack, coming close with a well-timed header that was saved by Greece's goalkeeper. Despite these late efforts, Ireland couldn't break through the Greek defense, and the second goal sealed the result.
Hallgrimsson expressed frustration in the post-match press conference, citing Ireland’s slow start as a key factor in the loss. He emphasized that his team lacked belief in the first half, allowing Greece to dictate the tempo. The manager also lamented Kelleher’s mistake but stopped short of blaming the defeat solely on the goalkeeper.
Austria Thrashes Norway
Elsewhere in the Nations League, Austria delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over Norway, keeping star striker Erling Haaland unusually quiet. Despite Haaland’s early attempt, which struck the post, Austria's captain Marko Arnautovic led his team to victory with two goals. The result leaves Norway, Austria, and Slovenia level on points in Group B3 after Slovenia's narrow 1-0 win over Kazakhstan.
Norway, though boasting Haaland’s prolific goal-scoring ability, struggled defensively as Austria exploited their weaknesses, scoring three headers within 13 minutes to wrap up the win. Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken was left frustrated as his team collapsed in the second half. Despite the loss, Norway remains top of the group on head-to-head record.
Greece's Continued Success in Group B2
Greece’s victory over Ireland was their fourth consecutive win over the Irish, maintaining their dominant run in Group B2. The result keeps them three points ahead of second-placed England, reinforcing their strong start to the competition. The Greek team, under coach Ivan Jovanovic, has displayed an organized and disciplined approach throughout the tournament, combining defensive solidity with rapid, efficient attacks.
For Ireland, the result was a stark reminder that, despite their recent win against Finland, there is still significant work to be done before they can compete consistently at the highest level. Hallgrimsson's team will need to address their defensive frailties and find a way to unlock opposing defenses more effectively as they prepare for the next phase of the competition.
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- The Guardian
- RTÉ News
- The Irish Times
