Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the international friendly between Ireland and Netherlands from the Aviva Stadium.
This is the first of two warm-up games Martin O’Neill’s side will play before their Euro 2016 opener against Sweden and with the final squad to be announced next week, the stakes couldn’t be any higher.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
A big crowd is expected at Lansdowne Road this evening.
Lets get straight to the team news.
After a week of build-up, Martin O’Neill has just named his XI for this evening with Shane Duffy, Harry Arter and David McGoldrick all given an opportunity to stake their claim.
Here are the substitutes available to O’Neill this evening. Many will be hoping to get a run out with Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers among those on the bench.
Ireland subs: Given (GK), Rogers (GK), O’Kane, Keogh, McGeady, Keane, McClean, Christie, Ward, Hoolahan, Murphy, O’Dowda, Hendrick, Gibson.
And this is how Danny Blind’s Netherlands line-up in Dublin. Man United forward Memphis Depay starts while Virgil Van Dijk and Georgino Wijnaldum of Southampton and Newcastle are the other familiar faces.
Roma playmaker Kevin Strootman is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Netherlands: Cillessen; Veltman, Bruma, Van Dijk, Willems; Bazoer, Wijnaldum, Strootman; Promes, Memphis, Janssen.
The FAI’s official Euro 2016 song, ‘The Irish Roar’ by Seo Linn, will be performed before tonight’s game.
If you haven’t listened to it, stick in those headphones and let us know what you think.
Ryan Bailey here with live updates while Ben Blake and Paul Fennessy are in position at the Aviva Stadium as we bring you comprehensive coverage of tonight’s game.
For those of you wondering, the game is live on Setanta Sports, with coverage just beginning. If you aren’t near a TV, we’ll bring you every kick off the ball right here.
Paul Fennessy reports from the Aviva Stadium
Shane Duffy, Harry Arter and David McGoldrick are among the fringe players that have been given a chance for Ireland.
The trio will be looking to impress, as will Stephen Quinn — another player who has been on the periphery of the squad of late.
Elsewhere, there are some more experienced stars included, with Darren Randolph, Seamus Coleman, John O’Shea and Jon Walters among the players virtually assured of a place on the plane to France.
Meanwhile, Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers could become the first League of Ireland player to represent Ireland since Joe Gamble in 2007.
The 34-year-old is on the bench for tonight’s friendly, after impressing in training during the week, as is 21-year-old Oxford winger Callum O’Dowda, who could also win his first cap.
Are you at the Aviva Stadium tonight? As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail ryan@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
Just half an hour until kick-off and the atmosphere is building. While you wait for the action, here are some of our pre-match offerings from a busy week in Abbotstown.
- 12 of the most memorable Ireland-Netherlands encounters
- ‘Fitness has never been a problem for me’ – O’Shea plays down Sunderland struggles
- ‘The number of times he’s played over the last few seasons would be a concern’
- Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers ‘a possibility’ to feature for Ireland tomorrow night
- James McCarthy set to travel to the Euros despite injury issues
- ‘I’m proud to say she was my daughter and I want to do her proud if she’s watching’ – Arter
- Duffy’s dream about to come true 4 years on from making Euros pledge
David Meyler isn’t involved tonight as he’s preparing for Hull’s Championship play-off final against Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow.
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
The teams are in the tunnel. Ireland will wear their new white kit this evening while the visitors are in their traditional orange shirts.
The Aviva Stadium is far from full. Nowhere near the expected 40,000 just yet. It’s time for the anthems.
Kick-off! We’re underway at the Aviva Stadium.
Quiet start with Netherlands enjoying some early possession.
Just trying to figure out what formation O’Neill has deployed. It looks like McGoldrick is playing in behind the Long and Walters.
Ireland being forced to defend in these opening periods. Memphis has dropped out to the right and looks to come infield but Duffy is strong in the challenge.
Shane Long looks to be moving a little gingerly after a challenge a couple of minutes ago. Interestingly, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is here tonight, sitting alongside Long’s representative, Pat Dolan.
John O’Shea forced to head behind as the Dutch continue to prop. That cross came from the left-back Jetro Willems. The visitors are looking to go down the left a lot but Coleman has nullified the threat so far.
An interested observer.
A pretty uneventful start. Netherlands have dominated possession and it’s been a busy evening for the Irish defence already.
Shane Duffy has made a very positive start. He’s been a commanding figure so far alongside O’Shea.
Ireland struggling to keep possession but Stephen Quinn gets hold of the ball and he drives into the space on the right. The Reading midfielder gets to the byline but his cross is overhit and the chance is gone.
Moments later, Arter picks the ball up 35 yards from goal and he’s invited to shoot, but his effort is deflected into the arms of the goalkeeper.
20 mins gone, not a lot to write home about.
Shane Long is cynically hauled down on this near side and wins a free-kick in a dangerous position. The forward suffers a nasty looking cut on his knee after Bruma’s challenge.
After some running repairs, he’s back up on his feet and ready to continue. Brady is standing over the set-piece.
Dangerous delivery forces Jasper Cillessen to come off his line and punch clear. Long gets the nod to return to action and Ireland are back to their full complement.
Ireland have started to see much more of the ball and the crowd have responded. Not much in the way of action in either box, however.
McGoldrick finds Coleman with a brilliant cross-field ball. The Everton defender’s touch is perfect and van Dijk is forced to put it behind.
GOAL! Ireland 1-0 Netherlands (Long)
Brilliant delivery again from Brady, O’Shea powers a header towards goal and although it’s initially stopped by the ‘keeper, Long is there to bundle home.
Credit must go to McGoldrick too. His sweeping ball from left to right started that move off before Long converted from the corner.
Ireland have settled into the game as the half has wore on and now they’re enjoying most of the ball.
Close! Memphis whips in a delightful ball and it flies across goal and just wide of Darren Randolph’s far post.
Harry Arter goes into the book for going in a little rashly on Memphis. Both he and Quinn have been so eager in the challenge as they look to impose themselves on this game.
Shane Long’s goal separates the sides.
Ireland have played some really nice football in this first half. With Quinn and Arter in the engine room, there’s plenty of creativity and McGoldrick is finding space between the lines.
Half-time! Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
That was an encouraging 45 minutes of football from the Boys in Green. They were forced to sit back in the opening exchanges but soon settled into the game and the likes of Quinn and Arter got their foot on the ball.
Shane Duffy has been solid again in defence and is certainly doing his chances of going to France no harm. It’s a big second half coming up.
In the Setanta Sports studio, Kevin Kilbane believes Arter has done enough to go to France. Who has impressed you so far?
The Ireland subs are out warming-up and we’re sure to see a host of substitutions during the second half.
Back underway at the Aviva. No changes for Ireland.
Ireland have threatened from every set-piece this evening and this time it’s Duffy who steals a march on his man and looks to get on the end of Brady’s ball.
Chance! Yet another set-piece causes the Dutch defence all sorts of problems and it comes off Bruma and trickles just wide. From the corner, Duffy is unable to keep his header down. He should have kept that on target at the very least.
Ireland really pushing for a second now. Netherlands can’t clear their lines and it eventually falls to Long via Walters but the striker can’t keep his header on target.
Memphis whips in another dangerous looking ball but nobody in orange can get anywhere near it.
Concern for Shane Duffy as he stretches to clear a cross. The Blackburn defender slowly picks himself back up and it looks to be his knee. Lets hope he can run it off.
Meanwhile, Memphis has been replaced by Watford winger Steven Berghuis.
Berghuis gets involved straight away and sends an inviting ball into the box. The Dutch have plenty of numbers in there but Randolph deals with it comfortably, letting it sail out of play.
Gibson, McClean and Hendrick are all ready to come on. Long, Quinn and Whelan are the players to make way.
Meanwhile, Randolph plucks a cross out of the air and demonstrates his growing stature in this Irish team.
Martin O’Neill casting his eye over proceedings.
Netherlands come out of their shell and ask a few questions of the Irish defence. A deep cross finds Jansen as he pulls away from O’Shea but Randolph gets a strong hand to his header.
The official attendance tonight is 42,438, although there seems to be a lot less here than that FAI figure suggests.
A Mexican wave has broken out around the ground. Not a lot for the crowd to shout about at the minute.
Good work from McClean as he wins the ball back and finds Walters. The Stoke forward just can’t keep hold of it and the Dutch retain possession.
Wes Hoolahan is coming on for the final 15 minutes as he replaces David McGoldrick.
James McClean has been typically industrious since he came on. He wins another free-kick on halfway to get his side up the field as we head towards the final 10 minutes.
Chance! Needless to say it all comes from Brady’s corner, as Duffy glances his header past the far post.
Robbie Brady’s set-piece delivery has been superb all night and Duffy has provided a real threat each time he has ventured forward.
Arter receives a good ovation as he’s replaced by his Bournemouth team-mate Eunan O’Kane.
GOAL! Ireland 1-1 Netherlands (De Jong)
Moments after coming on, Luuk de Jong heads Netherlands level after Duffy is caught ball watching. Willems with the ball in from the left and that will disappoint Martin O’Neill.
Duffy was caught out there as the substitute was left in acres of space in the six-yard box and he made no mistake. Four minutes left on the clock.
Ireland look for a winner. Eunan O’Kane gets a low shot away but it’s relatively straightforward for the ‘keeper. Four minutes of injury time.
Setanta Sports give the man of the match award to Harry Arter with Keith Andrews saying he has given O’Neill ‘food for thought’ with his performance tonight.
Shane Duffy had a couple of sights of goal tonight.
Full-time: Ireland 1-1 Netherlands
Ireland will be disappointed not to have held on for the victory but it was a good workout for Martin O’Neill’s men and the manager can take a lot of positives from certain aspects of this performance.
The players are embarking on a lap around the stadium to show their appreciation for the support tonight and throughout the campaign.
It’s onto Cork now for Tuesday’s final friendly against Belarus.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Rafa Out banners already. Chants of “f..k off Rafa you’re not welcome”.
Comedy Gold at the bridge today.
Chelsea fans are worlds worst….. It’s a privilege to have a manager like Rafa…. Hope rafa takes his money a run, after the treatment he will get from these high class thugs….
I think it’s more a case of Di Matteo getting sacked. The fans wouldn’t welcome anybody after it. Rafa is just the target of the fans anger when it really should be Abromavich getting the boos
A minute ago other was because he liked to play 9-0-1.
Where did you read your latest “opinion”?
Jesus Damien give it a rest already. I don’t like the defensive style Rafa uses. shockingly enough that’s MY OWN opinion. I’m merely speculating that it wouldnt matter who replaced Di Matteo because he was the man to lead Chelsea to the champs league and FA cup titles last year, and as such is the man the Chelsea fans want to see lead their team
Now do me a favour and try not to troll over every comment I make. its not my faulty made a tool of yourself earlier on.
Yes free flowing football won Chelsea those trophies alright. It’s obvious you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Don’t worry it’s not your “faulty”.
The free flowing football I mentioned arrived with the new look midfield of Oscar and Hazard. In case you didn’t know, they weren’t around for the champs league last year.
Sorry about the typo. Now please go get yourself a life. For a guy that advised me to stop reading newspapers you’re spending a lot of time on here.
Finally since we’re correcting spelling and grammar, “u” is a letter “you” is the word you were looking for.
Pretend all you like that you didn’t understand what I meant about reading too many newspapers.
I know what you ment you clown, just because happen to agree with the general consensus doesn’t mean I took it from the paper. now in the most polite way I can put it, piss of.
Try harder you’re nearly there.
its ok I’m finished feeding the trolls today
You read that somewhere?
It’s not just the Di Matteo sacking. There was a lot of bad blood between Rafa and Chelsea and in particular the fans since the days when he was Liverpoool manager.
In terms of upsetting the fans, it’s probably the worst appointment since George Graham became Spurs manager.
Sexy football? You’ve clearly never seen a team play under Rafa! Di Matteo had Chelsea playing free flowing football. Rafa will be playing that 9-0-1 formation I reckon
I think u should stop reading the newspapers. Try thinking for yourself.
You might like it.
says the man reading the online news!
Hah?
Rafa likes to run a team with no interference, and has shown he can produce when left alone by owners…. But as in the cowboys, and moratti at inter Milan, also eventually the owners at Valencia interfered, it will not work. Expect roman to pile pressure on him…. Imagine guardiola…. Who would be fired after 1 draw, given the expectations on him….
It’s one dull game.So far
16.48 Torres tangles for a 50/50 with Azpil… and wins a free?!? Really, his teammate?!
An ashley Cole raping shot?
at 1744