WALES FAIL TO THREATEN IN A DISMAL DUBLIN DRAW
WALES’ 100% winning record in the 2020/21 Nations League came to an end as they were held to a goalless draw in a drab encounter with Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
Ryan Giggs’ side desperately struggled to create clear-cut openings in Dublin, with Harry Wilson and David Brooks registering the visitors’ only efforts on target.
In truth, the hosts carried the greater threat, with Daryl Horgan and Shane Long both missing good opportunities to bulge the net.
Wales pressed for a winner late on after James McClean was sent off, but they were unable to make it three wins from three in the competition, although the stalemate ensured they are yet to concede a goal in the latest edition of the Nations League.
Prior to the game, it was confirmed that Republic of Ireland would be without Adam Idah and Aaron Connolly after they had come into close contact with a member of staff who tested positive for coronavirus ahead of their Nations League play-off semi-final loss to Slovakia.
And the hosts’ preparation for the fixture was thrown into chaos just hours ahead of kick-off as it emerged that five men had to be left out after an unnamed player tested positive for Covid-19.
John Egan, Alan Browne, Callum O’Dowda, Callum Robinson and James McCarthy were all left out of Republic of Ireland’s 23-man squad, and it meant Stephen Kenny had just seven substitutes on the bench, with Wales having the full quota of 12 replacements.
Giggs had problems of his own, with Gareth Bale and Joe Allen both unavailable, while Chris Mepham was ruled out after suffering a knee injury in the 3-0 defeat to England on Thursday night.
However, they were handed a significant boost as Cardiff striker Kieffer Moore – who went into the game having scored in three of his four away matches for Wales – was declared fit to play after recovering from the toe problem he sustained at Wembley.
Ethan Ampadu slotted in alongside Joe Rodon in the absence of Mepham to complete the centreback pairing in front of Wayne Hennessey, who moved ahead of Neville Southall to become the second most-capped men’s player for Wales.
And, in an additional boost, Aaron Ramsey started for the visitors, with the Juventus ace taking the captain’s armband in Dublin.
Wales went into the match having won each of their last four competitive fixtures without conceding a goal.
As for the Irish, they were going in search of their first triumph since Kenny became boss earlier this year and went into the game without a victory in their previous seven competitive outings.
There was nothing for either side to shout about early on as jabs were traded in what was a low-key encounter.
It took 17 minutes until the first shot, with Robbie Brady unable to test Hennessey.
And both sides were dealt a blow soon after as Kevin Long had to be replaced after suffering an eye injury as a result of a collision with Moore – a challenge that earned the forward a yellow card, meaning he is suspended for the clash with Bulgaria on Wednesday.
Giggs’ men slowly started to find their rhythm and saw Wilson fire a curling shot at goal from just outside the box prior to the half-hour mark, although Darren Randolph was equal to the effort.
Rodon headed over from a corner soon after, and the visitors were left furious on 32 minutes as Ampadu went down in the box under a challenge from Randolph after the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper fumbled the ball.
But referee Tasos Sidiropoulos awarded a free-kick to the hosts as opposed to pointing to the penalty spot.
Brady was then unable to rub salt into the wounds having fired wide after pouncing on Wilson’s loose pass.
And substitute Cyrus Christie drilled an effort just over the crossbar to bring an end to what was an uninspiring first half at the Aviva Stadium.
Shane Long – on what was his first start for his country in two years – had the game’s best opening 10 minutes after the restart, although he was unable to head Enda Stevens’ cross beyond Hennessey.
Dylan Levitt and Neco Williams replaced Matt Smith and Wilson midway through the second half as both sides continued to look blunt at the business end of the pitch.
Republic of Ireland substitute Horgan blazed over from close range shortly after Brooks replaced Daniel James.
But the home side were reduced to 10 men with seven minutes left on the clock as McClean was redcarded for a cynical foul on Ampadu, with Joe Morrell now unavailable to face Bulgaria after picking up his second booking of the campaign.
But Giggs’ troops were unable to find a late winner, as they did against both Finland and Bulgaria in the most recent international camp, meaning the spoils were shared in Dublin.
Wales play their third and final game of the current international break against Bulgaria on Wednesday