Republic of Ireland v Scotland: Stalemate Prevents Irish From Scaling The Table
By Alex McCain
FT: Republic of Ireland 1 – 1 Scotland (J. Walters 38′, J.O’Shea OG 47′)
Today’s Euro 2016 qualifier between Ireland and Scotland was a game neither side could afford to lose if they wanted to maintin realistic ambitions of making it to France next year.
Pressure was arguably mounted heavier on the Irish shoulders coming into this fixture than on Scottish, with the home side losing ground on the promotion places as they sat at 4th in Group D, knowing full well that failure to defeat the tartan army would keep them where they were.
Germany, at 3rd, having a game in hand against bottom side Gibraltar didn’t bode well for them, either.
A win for Scotland would’ve distanced themselves from the aforementioned World Cup winners who were breathing down their necks, as any chance to extend their already superior goal difference was welcomed.
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Chances were scarce in the first half prior to the first goal; the home side’s dispossession in the 4th minute allowed Steven Naismith a sight on goal, but the resulting shot went wide from 25 yards out.
Ireland’s inability to create substantial chances would plague them for vast portions of the match as deliveries into the box were either tame or inaccurate.
The home side were able to capitalize on their possession eventually, however. A Robbie Brady corner in the 38th minute found the head of Ipswich Town target man Daryl Murphy, whose brace was parried by Scots ‘keeper David Marshall – only to fall to Stoke City’s Jonathan Walters who slotted home the rebound.
This opener from the Irish sent the Aviva Stadium into uproar, and the mentality of the home side seemed to radiate a more positive aggression. Ireland came at Scotland again on the break but were unable to double their advantage before the referee’s whistle signaled the end of the first half.
As the second half started, the tide would turn in favor of Scots as lady luck revealed she wouldn’t forgive Ireland for squandering their chances in the opening half.
Chicago Fire midfielder Shaun Maloney worked an agile one-two play with Ikechi Anya and curled a shot which appeared to be heading wide, but an unfortunate deflection from Sunderland and Ireland captain John O’Shea saw the ball bundle into the back of the net.
Neither side would have any obvious chances for the majority of the game, Ireland had the better share of the ball and set pieces throughout the game, but failed to find the lead once again, with Daryl Murphy mainly responsible for the seldom sights on goal that the home team had.
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Ireland fans may have hoped for more late drama in their favor, something which seems to have been a theme for their campaign so far, such as Shane Long’s late equalizer in Warsaw to earn Ireland a point, or perhaps even something as eventful as John O’Shea’s late leveller against Germany on the night of his 100th international appearance.
Unfortunately, such history would not be repeated.
A draw for Scotland meant they will stay 2 points ahead of the Irish but could be overtaken should Gibraltar lose to Germany.
Elsewhere, Poland’s 4-0 dispatching of struggling Georgia gives them a comfortable lead at the top with a vastly superior goal difference to the other contenders in their group.
The second spot of Group D appears to be the only place for real contention right now, and the Irish could find themselves with a mountain to climb should Germany win.