SCRAPE TO VICTORY
Brady penalty gets Ireland off hook as they let two-goal lead slip against group’s whipping boys
STEPHEN KENNY doesn’t do must-win games but this was one the Republic of Ireland manager needed after an undistinguished Nations League campaign. Somehow, he and his team got over the line in a chaotic climax at the Aviva.
After Ireland blew a 2-0 lead with 20 minutes to go, they needed a late VAR penalty call to see off Armenia, who were incandescent with rage at the rookie Slovenian referee.
Handling his second international, Rade Obrenovic had bottled it when Jayson Molumby, on a yellow, tugged the jersey of an opponent early in the second half.
It was a let-off for Ireland and the referee threw Kenny and Co a dramatic lifeline in the final crazy moments when, on VAR recommendation, he deemed there was a handball when Dara O’Shea’s shot in the box was blocked.
Robbie Brady calmly did the business from the spot but not before two Armenia players were sent off in protest.
For Kenny, who saw his team cough up a late penalty to lose to Scotland on Saturday, this was a case of what goes around comes around.
A fourth win in 21 competitive games as manager won’t paper over the cracks of a poor Nations League campaign or this sloppy performance which lacked the zip and zest of Hampden.
After Luxembourg and Azerbaijan plundered points at the Aviva in the World Cup qualifiers, Ireland wriggled out of an embarrassing relegation shootout to ensure Armenia left emptyhanded, but only after a heart-stopping finale which seemed a 100/1 long-shot at 2-0.
Two strikes from distance, the second after an error by Conor Hourihane, injected jitters and for a few moments, Ireland tethered on the brink, before clearing the stars from the eyes and landing the final blow.
Winning without being pretty is something Kenny wanted to avoid as manager but as any of his Ireland predecessors will tell you, it’s often part and parcel of the game.
As someone who has found competitive wins hard to come by, Kenny shouldn’t cavil about a result like this. It has given the manager some breathing space before the Euro qualifiers come around next spring, which he needs after a third indifferent campaign.
Putting it bluntly, if Ireland play as unconvincingly as this in the qualifiers, they won’t be in the mix for a top-two finish.
Kenny kept the changes to minimum and trusted his Glasgow cavaliers to go about their business in a professional manner and remind Armenia of their place in the pecking order.
Brady and Jeff Hendrick, two 30-year-olds, came in to remind Kenny they are no back numbers at this level. Brady also had an assist and did some decent things in open play, too.
With Armenia lying deep, Ireland’s dearth of creativity surfaced. Arguably, they are a better team in an end-to-end swing-fest.
Apart from John Egan’s lead goal, the first half was about as exciting as listening to the budget speech, but at least the sums added up in Ireland’s favour.
At the break there was a polite ripple of applause as Ireland trooped off.
They had failed to work the visiting goalkeeper and had been reliant on a goal from a corner — their second in this window, both scored by Egan.
Brady was the provider with a high in-swinger from the corner of the East Stand and Egan’s header had enough power to evade David Yurchenko in goal.
Other than that, there was little from Ireland in the half.
The crimson tide held firm with the wily skipper, Varadzat Haroyan, policing to effect on the edge of the box.
Armenia rarely left their half but they did manage a corner, which was the sum of their attacking endeavours.
The second half was a few minutes old when Ireland, or rather Molumby, bought a break.
On a caution for a high challenge on the half hour, the West Brom midfielder tugged an opponent as he got away from him around midfield.
Improbably, referee Obrenovic let Molumby off with a finger-wagging.
The Armenians were incensed and Kenny moved swiftly to replace Molumby with Hourihane.
Almost immediately, Ireland scored.
A pin-point pass from Dara O’Shea found Michael Obafemi with his back to goal some 35 yards out.
The Swansea striker turned in a jiffy, left Haroyan for dead, before arrowing a right footer that zipped past Yurchenko.
The goal ignited a jig of delight from Kenny on the touchline, followed by a group hug with his staff.
If the reaction seemed excessive, perhaps it was down to relief more than anything. It was also premature.
With 20 minutes left, Armenia sub Vahan Bichakhychan picked up the ball on the right flank, cut inside, and let rip with a pearler that Bazunu, hitherto a passenger, pushed on to the post.
The ball rebounded into space and was snaffled by another sub, Artak Dashyan who speared a right-footer between Bazunu and the near post.
Moments later, Armenia were level when Hourihane needlessly passed across his own box and Eduward Spertsyan seized on the loose ball and placed a 20-yarder to Bazunu’s left.
At 2-2, a groggy Ireland were nearly felled to the canvass when Armenia’s busy-bee midfielder Bayrayman went close to a third.
Ireland needed a break and they bought one, in the nick of time. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Bazunu; Collins, Egan, O’Shea; Doherty, Hendrick, Knight (Browne 76), Molumby (Hourihane 51), Brady; Obafemi (Hogan 86), Parrott (Robinson 76). Scorers: Egan 18, Obafemi 52, Brady (pen) 90+1. ARMENIA: Yurchenko; Hambartsumyan, Haroyan, Mkoyan (Voskanyan 60), Calisir (Muradyan 82), Monroy (Dashyan 60); Spertsyan, Grigoryan, Bayramyan: Barseghyan (Shaghoyan 82), Zelarayan (Bichakhchyan 69). Scorers: Dashyan 71, Spertsyan 72. Referee: R Obrenovic (Slovenia)