FAI: Report | Ireland 0-2 Greece - Defeat at Aviva

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Stephen Kenny handed a senior debut to Liam Scales for the contest to play on the left side of the Irish defence. Ireland had the first shot on target in the opening minutes when a clever pass from Ogbene to Smallbone forced Vlachodimos into a clever save with Scales sending the second ball over the bar.
In the next phase of attack, Evan Ferguson’s left-footed effort from the edge of the area saw the ball strike the butt of the post and wide as Vlachodimos was beaten. Mantalos had the first chance of note for the Greek side with his effort blocked down by Nathan Collins in the area.
Bazunu was forced into a low save following Bakasetas cutting in on his left then his low effort being saved excellently by the Irish keeper en route to goal. Greece were to open the scoring as a cross from the left by Tsimikas to the Irish area was met by Giakoumakis with a bullet header that struck the top corner of the net.
Ireland searched for a quick response as Ogbene saw his shot blocked by Rota in the Greek area from a freekick with Smallbone’s shot just going over following his shot from the edge of the area.
Bazunu again was forced to make another fine save following some link-up play between Giakoumakis and Pelkas saw the winger take a shot from an angle that saw his shot tipped over by the Irish keeper. Josh Cullen had a shot that went over just before halftime after the initial effort from Smallbone was blocked down.
Shane Duffy forced a clever save from Vlachodimos following a Smallbone free kick that saw the Irish defenders header on target only to be denied by the Greek shot-stopper. Greece added a second goal following a break from the Greek defence with Giakoumakis sending the ball to the back post with Masouras slotting it past Bazunu.
Pelkas had the first sight on goal in the second half for the away side as Matt Doherty’s slightest touch deflected it wide for a corner. Jason Knight had Ireland’s first chance of note as he collected the ball in midfield with his effort going wide of the post. Liam Scales did excellently to block down Chatzigiovanis’ shot en route to goal with the resulting corner being well caught by Bazunu.
Greece went close to adding a third as a cross from the right into the Irish goal area was met by Ioannidis as his header went just over. Shane Duffy once again had a sight on goal but Vlachodimos was equal to his effort.
Matt Doherty forced a great save from Vlachodimos after a quick corner that saw Robinsons' short pass to Doherty see his effort blocked on the line. Robinson would then have a sight on goal moments later with his shot just going wide of the post.
Adam Idah had the last opportunity of the game latching onto a cross from right at the back post with his header going wide. The Republic of Ireland next face Gibraltar in Faro on Monday.*
Republic of Ireland: Bazunu (GK), N. Collins (Manning 46), Doherty, Duffy, Cullen, Browne (Johnston 70), Ferguson, Smallbone (Robinson 70), Scales, Knight, Ogbene (Idah 85).
Subs not used: Travers (GK), O'Leary (GK), O'Shea, Omobamidele, Sykes, Molumby, McGrath, Ebosele
Greece: Vlachodimos (GK), Retsos, Mavropanos, Kourbelis (Bouchalakis 63), Masouras (Koulierakis 87), Pelkas (Chatzigiovanis 63), Bakasetas (Siopis 87), Rota, Giakoumakis (Ioannidis 70), Mantalos, Tsimikas.
Subs not used: Paschalakis (GK), Dioudis (GK), Pavlidis, Fountas, Alexandropoulos, Saliakas, Giannoulis.
Booked: Smallbone, Pelkas

Player of the Match: Chiedozie Ogbene
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (SWE)
Attendance: 41,239



Ireland Category:
Senior Men


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Match Preview / Report:
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Match ID:
Republic of Ireland 0 - 2 Greece | 2024 - UEFA European Qualifiers | 2036431


Introduction:
The Republic of Ireland were defeated by Greece in their last home qualification at the Aviva Stadium as first-half goals from Giakoumakis and Masouras compounded Ireland to a 2-0 defeat.




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