FAI: Report | Greece 2-1 Ireland - Tough Athens night

https://www.fai.ie/sites/default/fil...ge/2538818.jpg


Nathan Collins became the first Irish player to score against a Greece side at the Senior International level but that goal came either side from a Tasos Bakasetas penalty and an early second-half strike from Giorgos Masouras.
The opening chances in the game came from Greece when a corner sent into the Irish area was met by Mavropanos with his effort brilliantly saved by Bazunu as he tipped the ball over his far post. Bazunu was called into action moments later when a snapshot from Bakasetas following another Greece corner was tipped over the bar by the Irish netminder.
Greece was awarded a penalty as Callum O’Dowda following a VAR review was adjudged to have handled the ball, Bakasetas struck it down the middle ensure the ball got past the diving Bazunu to give the home side the lead.
Ireland went close to levelling when Smallbone and Doherty linked up and the cross from Doherty was met by Tsimikas whose clearance struck the side netting for a corner. Ireland was to equalise from the resulting set piece as Smallbones corner was met at the far post with the initial header by Evan Ferguson was met by Nathan Collins at the back post who slammed it past Vlachodimos and after a VAR check it was awarded for the Irish equaliser.
Bakasetas picked up the ball on the outskirts of the box, and the Greece captain once more called on Bazunu to make a save, but the Irish custodian was able to stop the low effort with ease. Following a cross from the right, Pelkas had a shot at the Irish goal, but Matt Doherty expertly blocked his effort down.
Greece was to retake the lead early in the second half as Masouras ran onto the pass from Bakasetas that was played into the Irish area with his low curling effort finding the bottom right-hand corner. Ireland nearly responded almost immediately as a quick one-two between Smallbone and Doherty saw the Irish defender rush his effort that went wide.
Nathan Collins forced an excellent save from Vlachodimos as McClean’s cross was headed down by Ferguson direct to Collins's path who struck his effort first time from distance that forced an excellent diving stop from the Greek keeper.
Giakoumakis had the opportunity to add a third for the home side as he collected the ball in the Irish area and got in front of Collins but his hooked effort went over the bar. Ireland went close to levelling in added-on time as a free kick to the back post found both Egan and Collins but the ball fell to Doherty on the edge of the area with his low effort well saved by Vlachodimos.
Ireland was reduced to ten men after Matt Doherty was sent off in added on time.
Greece: Vlachodimos (GK), Baldock, Mavropanos, Kourbelis, Masouras, Pavlidis (Giakoumakis 70), Pelkas (Fountas 70), Bakasetas © (Tzavellas 90), Hatzidiakos, Mantalos (Siopis 90), Tsimikas.
Subs not used: Paschalakis (GK), Athanasiadis (GK), Retsos, Papanikolaou, Rota, Chatzigiovanis, Limnios, Douvikas.
Republic of Ireland: Bazunu (GK), Doherty, O’Dowda (McClean 52), Egan ©, Cullen, Ferguson, Idah (Johnston 46), Collins, Molumby (Obafemi 80), Lenihan (Parrott 88), Smallbone (Knight 52).
Subs not used: Kelleher (GK), Travers (GK), O'Shea, Browne, Hendrick, McGrath, Sykes
Booked: Mantalos, Pelkas, Bakasetas, McClean, Tzavellas
Sent Off: Doherty
Man of the Match: Gavin Bazunu



Ireland Category:
Senior Men


Choose Site:
Ireland


Match Preview / Report:
Match Report


Match ID:
Greece 2 - 1 Republic of Ireland | 2024 - UEFA European Qualifiers | 2036338


Introduction:
The Republic of Ireland suffered their second defeat in their Euro 2024 qualification with a 2-1 defeat to Greece in Athens.




[MORE]