IRELAND GET WHAT THEY DESERVE
Rodrigues puts paid to hopes of getting to World Cup
FOOTBALL followers of a certain age may remember Gerson, the brilliant midfielder with the wondrous left foot, who starred in Brazil’s 1970 World Cup win.
Over a half a century on, another Gerson left an imprint on the reputation of Irish football which will be forever lasting.
Gerson Rodrigues, a 25-year-old with Dynamo Kiev, struck the decisive goal five minutes from time at Aviva Stadium last night to shatter Ireland’s World Cup ambitions and raise further questions about the direction the team is headed under Stephen Kenny.
On his watch, Ireland have yet to win in 10 games, capsizing in the Euro play-offs, the Nations League and now the World Cup. They got what they deserved on a wretched night as they were outplayed by one of Europe’s lightweights.
But for debut goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who made two excellent saves, one in either half, the final scoreline could have been more embarrassing.
This shambolic result compares to the 0-0 draw in Liechtenstein in 1995 which prised open Jack Charlton’s grip on the team he built, and the 5-2 loss in Cyprus in 2006, from which Steve Staunton never recovered.
Those calamities were on the road, this was on home turf, where Ireland have always found a way of avoiding bobby traps against the lesser lights. Until now.
Ireland’s slip is showing. It’s almost two years since the last competitive win, 14 games ago – four in the Euros, the Euro play-off, six in the Nations League, two in the World Cup. The days of ‘You’ll never beat the Irish’ are hollow indeed.
For the FAI, and new CEO Jonathan Hill, they have to decide to keep faith with Kenny for the remainder of the World Cup or consider going in another direction.
For all of Kenny’s dreams, his tenure has been a nightmare and a top two finish in Group A is already out of reach, with Portugal away to come in September.
He shuffled the pack last night but was unable to come up with an ace. Only captain Seamus Coleman, willing to a fault, emerged with any credit, along with Bazunu.
Bazunu became the youngest Irish keeper to make his debut, eclipsing Mick Kearns, who was also 19 when he figured as a substitute against Poland in 1970.
His selection inferred Kenny felt Mark Travers was to blame, in part, for the concession of three goals against Serbia on Wednesday.
Keeping faith with Travers might have enabled him to move on from his Belgrade experience. Instead, he has baggage. The ‘Class of
92’ , Shane Duffy, Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady, were on the bench again. At least, Brady got his chance in the second half to remind why he should have started.
In the absence of Aaron Connolly, James Collins partnered Callum Robinson in attack. And the Luton Town striker almost rewarded his inclusion with the lead goal in the 18th minute. Again Robinson was involved, attacking the left side of the box after being found in space by Enda Stevens.
This time, he centred low to the near post, where Collins arrived on cue only for the legs of keeper Anthony Moris to deny Ireland.
It was the first attack of note after a tentative start by Kenny’s crew, which saw Luxembourg’s lively winger Vincent Thill, try two shots from distance.
The first was gathered easily by Bazunu, the second was off target but the intention was clear: work the rookie ‘keeper.
Bazunu stood firm, especially so in the 41st minute when the enterprising Rodrigues tried an audacious lob from further out than Aleksandar Mitrovic was in Belgrade.
Bazunu back-pedalled at pace, his eyes glued to the ball before timing his athletic jump to perfection and pawing the ball away as it dipped towards goal.
The half-time interval offered Kenny the chance to fire up his players after a shockingly flat performance, lacking punch and verve.
The visitors had more shots on goal and the Irish frustration was evident as Ciaran Clark and Coleman surged forward on the ball to try and stir the troops.
Matt Doherty, one of the subdued, was replaced by Brady at the break and within seconds, Brady burst into the box and might have gone for goal, although the angle was tight. Soon after, Robinson shot over, then Alan Browne had muffled claims for a penalty before getting on the end of a Brady free, only to send his header wide.
It seemed as if Ireland had found their brio but there was a scare soon after when Clarke coughed up a free 30 yards out, from which Olivier Thill let rip with a snorter and a scrambling Bazunu was relieved to see the ball flash past the post.
The Thill siblings were pesky critters all night, especially the shaggy-haired Vincent, who wriggled into Irish territory just past the hour, availed of the ball breaking off Dara O’Shea, and bore down on goal.
Again, Bazunu rode to Ireland’s rescue, blocking with his left foot.
Ireland were struggling to get to grips with the midfield exchanges and Luxembourg began to enjoy themselves on the ball, sensing there might be more than a point to be won.
Ireland tried to raise their levels. Browne surged down the right and crossed for Collins, whose improvised overhead strike was only inches outside the post.
With Coleman driving by example, Brady was at the hub of Ireland’s better efforts, peppering in crosses from either flank.
Five minutes from time, Ireland’s brittle confidence was broken. A route-one ball by ‘keeper Moris dropped 30 yards out from goal. Rodrigues reacted like a mongoose, and rifled a right-footer into the bottom corner beyond Bazunu.
Ireland needed a late goal, which Mick McCarthy’s team were so adept at, but there was to be no reprieve.