FAI: Report | Ireland 1-2 Netherlands - Defeat in Dublin

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Stephen Kenny’s side got off to the perfect start with a goal in the opening minutes from an Adam Idah penalty but the Netherlands struck back with a penalty from Gakpo and a second-half strike from Weghorst sealing the win for the away side.
Ireland had a first opportunity to open the scoring after an initial high press on the Dutch defence with a backpass to Flekken seeing the ball fall to Ogbene whose shot was deflected from the corner. The resulting corner saw Van Djik handle the ball in the area with Ireland being awarded a penalty. Adam Idah stepped up and slotted the ball calmly past Flekken to open the scoring.
Following some excellent play down the right, Matt Doherty forced a corner in which both Cullen and Duffy had sight on goal but both opportunities were blocked down by the Dutch defence.
Nathan Collins was forced to head clear a Gakpo free kick as Aké was poised to strike at the back post with the resulting corner seeing Shane Duffy clear the ball. The Netherlands was awarded a penalty following a through ball to Dumfries saw him taken down by Bazunu.
Despite getting a hand to the ball Bazunu couldn’t stop Gakpo’s spot kick that saw Netherlands equalise. Bazunu was then forced to make an excellent save following a run from deep from Simons that saw his effort blocked by the Irish netminder with a low save.
Ireland was awarded a free kicking following Aké fouling Ogbene with Brownes' effort from the edge of the area going the wrong side of the post. Ireland continued to press with Idah and Ogbene combining with his effort being blocked wide for a corner.
For the Netherlands Dumfries headed wide from a corner following some excellent defending from James McClean in the initial build-up. Bazunu made another fine safe denying Simons once again using his feet to stop the Dutch winger.
Simons was to go close once again striking a volley first time from the edge of the Irish area that saw his effort looping over Bazunu’s bar. In the second half, Ireland earned a free kick in a promising area following a good run from Ogbene down the right, McClean's*delivery was cleared by Weghorst en route to the back post.
The Netherlands was to go ahead following that effort as the ball was played into the Irish area that was headed down by Dumfries with Weghorst steering the ball past Bazunu at the near post. Ireland was to have another sight on goal from a set piece with Nathan Collins the target however the ball just evaded the Irish defender.
Ireland continued to press for an equalizer but couldn’t find a way past the stern Dutch defence. Simons broke down the right once again and looked certain to test Bazunu only for an excellent defensive tackle by McGrath for a corner that was cleared at the first attempt.
In the final moments of the match, a Will Smallbone free kick was sent into the Dutch area and was cleared at the first attempt. Ireland maintained possession with Ebosele forcing a corner which the Dutch were able to clear. Next for Stephen Kenny’s side is a home match against Greece next month followed by an away tie to Gibraltar.
Republic of Ireland: Bazunu, Duffy (C), Egan (McGrath 72), Cullen, Browne (Smallbone 72), Idah, Doherty (Ebosele 86), McClean (Manning 63), N. Collins, Knight (Armstrong 86), Ogbene.
Subs not used: Kelleher (GK), O'Leary (GK), O'Shea, Hendrick, Molumby, Connolly, Omobamidele.
Netherlands: Flekken, De Ligt, Van Dijk ©, Aké, Simons (Berghuis 89), Gakpo (Lang 80), Blind (Weghorst 46), Malen (Koopmeiners 68), Wieffer (Reijnders 46), F. de Jong, Dumfries.
Subs not used: Verbruggen (GK), Noppert (GK), van de Ven, De Vrij, Hartman, De Roon, Veerman, Koopmeiners.
Player of the Match: Jason Knight



Ireland Category:
Senior Men


Choose Site:
Ireland


Match Preview / Report:
Match Report


Match ID:
Republic of Ireland 1 - 2 Netherlands | 2024 - UEFA European Qualifiers | 2036407


Introduction:
The Republic of Ireland were defeated at home to the Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium in the fifth match of UEFA 2024 Qualification.




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