Relief for Republic as Duffy salvages point
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND left it late to avoid another embarrassment in
World Cup qualification Group A as Shane Duffy’s late header rescued a point against Azerbaijan in Dublin last night.
The former Celtic loanee headed home the equaliser in the 87th minute as the Irish picked up their first point in a disappointing campaign.
Stephen Kenny’s side had lost their first three qualifiers, including a 1-0 home reverse to Luxembourg.
They were heading for a similarly dismal result at the hands of Azerbaijan when the visitors went ahead on the stroke of half-time thanks to a sensational strike from Emin Makhmudov.
Ireland put plenty of crosses into the box but struggled to carve out the clear chance required to trouble the minnows. But Brighton centre-back Duffy powered home a cross from Josh Cullin to rescue a point. However, the Irish remain without a win in 15 matches. Elsewhere in Group A, Serbia moved top of the table over Portugal on goal difference after a 4-1 victory against Luexmbourg.
‘We have to turn performances into results,’ admitted Kenny. ‘We played a lot of good football but failed to win.’
Turkey stayed in pole position in Group G after a 3-0 win at Gibraltar. Halil Dervisoglu, Hakan Calhanoglu and Kenan Karaman all scored in the second half. They remain one point ahead of the Netherlands in second, who defeated Montenegro 4-0. Memphis Depay netted twice. Georginio Wijnaldum and Cody Gakpo were also on the scoresheet for the Dutch.
Former Celtic player Mohamed Elyounoussi scored in Norway’s 2-0 win at Latvia. Erling Haaland also scored. France top Group D despite a 1-1 draw at Ukraine, while Croatia and Russia both won to lead Group H.