After 11 games without a victory, Ireland finally got their first win under Stephen Kenny against Andorra last week.
Yet not too much can be read into a success over one of the weakest sides in European football, so tonight’s match against Hungary — who have qualified for the Euros — should provide a stiffer test and give a better indication of whether this side has progressed considerably under Kenny.
The Ireland manager has opted to pick a number of experienced players in his starting XI, which suggests he feels this is quite an important game for morale, despite the fact that it’s a friendly.
8 Jun 2021
6:08PM
Confirmation of the Ireland starting XI: Bazunu, Doherty, O’Shea, Duffy, Egan, McClean, Cullen, Hourihane, Knight, Parrott, Idah.
Unfortunately, there was audible booing, as Ireland players took the knee before the game.
Hungary players, meanwhile, opted against taking the knee.
8 Jun 2021
7:05PM
It hasn’t been a particularly assured start by Ireland.
Hungary are on the front foot, with the visitors giving the ball away cheaply on more than one occasion.
8 Jun 2021
7:06PM
So close!
Cullen’s free-kick from wide finds Egan, and the defender’s header comes off the crossbar.
8 Jun 2021
7:08PM
2 - Last time out, Republic of Ireland picked up their first victory under Stephen Kenny, while it was their first win since beating New Zealand in November 2019. They are looking to win consecutive matches for the first time since March 2019 (vs Gibraltar and Georgia). Gradual.
Hungary's Bendeguz Bolla stands while Republic of Ireland's James McClean takes a knee prior to the international friendly match PA
PA
8 Jun 2021
7:20PM
It’s been a fairly uneventful opening, with Hungary having 54% possession without really threatening.
Ireland haven’t really got going from an attacking perspective, with an overhit pass by Troy Parrott towards James McClean on the counter the latest stray ball.
Republic of Ireland's Troy Parrott (left) controls the ball during the international friendly match. PA
PA
8 Jun 2021
8:41PM
Knight’s cross finds McClean, whose header is saved by Bogdan.
Ireland have produced some decent attacks of late, with Knight looking more comfortable since switching to the right-hand side.
As I type, Szalai gets on the end of a cross, but his header is tipped over by Kelleher.
From the ensuing corner, the Liverpool youngster makes another good save, parrying away Szalai’s shot after the ball breaks kindly for him on the edge of the area.
8 Jun 2021
8:42PM
Another change for Ireland.
Ryan Manning replaces James McClean, who has worked tirelessly down that left flank.
It’s finished 0-0 and a draw is probably a fair result, as it’s been a pretty evenly fought match.
Kenny can take positives from the performances of a number of players — Shane Duffy, John Egan, Jason Knight and both goalkeepers were among the standouts for Ireland.
They were up against a side who are going to the Euros and who are on a long unbeaten run, so from that perspective, 0-0 is a decent result.
There were some familiar problems though. Ireland looked a little bit lacklustre and lacked dynamism in attack at times, particularly in the first half.
They improved after the break, however, and had a couple of decent half-chances, though Hungary also went close on a couple of occasions too.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
51 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
As it happened: Hungary v Ireland, International friendly
Hungary 0-0 Ireland
Hello, and welcome to this evening’s liveblog.
After 11 games without a victory, Ireland finally got their first win under Stephen Kenny against Andorra last week.
Yet not too much can be read into a success over one of the weakest sides in European football, so tonight’s match against Hungary — who have qualified for the Euros — should provide a stiffer test and give a better indication of whether this side has progressed considerably under Kenny.
The Ireland manager has opted to pick a number of experienced players in his starting XI, which suggests he feels this is quite an important game for morale, despite the fact that it’s a friendly.
Confirmation of the Ireland starting XI: Bazunu, Doherty, O’Shea, Duffy, Egan, McClean, Cullen, Hourihane, Knight, Parrott, Idah.
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Some pre-match reading for you…
Stephen Kenny confirms to RTÉ that Ireland will be playing a “fluid” 3-4-1-2.
He also confirms Shane Duffy will play as the right-sided centre-back.
We’re underway…
Unfortunately, there was audible booing, as Ireland players took the knee before the game.
Hungary players, meanwhile, opted against taking the knee.
It hasn’t been a particularly assured start by Ireland.
Hungary are on the front foot, with the visitors giving the ball away cheaply on more than one occasion.
So close!
Cullen’s free-kick from wide finds Egan, and the defender’s header comes off the crossbar.
Ireland have tried playing out from the back on more than one occasion.
Yet they’ve look uncomfortable in doing so, with Hungary’s high pressing causing problems.
Good defending from James McClean.
A low ball in deflects across the box towards the onrushing Bolla, but the Stoke man is alert to avert the danger.
It’s been a fairly uneventful opening, with Hungary having 54% possession without really threatening.
Ireland haven’t really got going from an attacking perspective, with an overhit pass by Troy Parrott towards James McClean on the counter the latest stray ball.
Hungary continue to have the better possession and territory so far, without looking like scoring.
Ireland continue to be slightly sloppy on the ball, and aside from that Egan chance from the set-piece, they haven’t threatened either.
Ireland continue to look very well organised defensively.
It’s just hard to imagine them scoring at the moment — they’ve struggled to get out of their own half for much of the game so far.
Worryingly for Ireland, Adam Idah has picked up a knock.
The Norwich youngster looks like he’ll be okay to continue though.
Chance for Hungary!
Fiola finds Szalai, and Bazunu makes a good save to stop the header.
Moments later, Hourihane has to clear an attempt off the line from a corner, as Hungary rally all of a sudden.
McClean’s cross just misses Duffy’s head, before Cullen’s subsequent delivery is too close to the goalkeeper.
Better from Ireland, who are showing more purpose in attack in recent minutes.
Hourihane curls a dangerous free-kick in, but it narrowly eludes everyone.
This is a decent spell for Ireland, as half-time approaches.
HALF-TIME: HUNGARY 0-0 IRELAND
The second half has begun…
Ireland make one change at the break.
Caoimhin Kelleher is on for his senior international debut, in place of Gavin Bazunu.
The second half has begun in a similar manner to much of the first.
It’s been quite scrappy and stop-start, with chances few and far between.
Good perseverance from Parrott there.
He loses the ball as he tries to break away on the counter, but he then gets back well to regain possession and recommence Ireland’s attack.
The ball breaks kindly for Szalai on the edge of the area.
However, Kelleher gets down well to parry away the Hungarian attacker’s low snapshot.
Two changes for Ireland.
Parrott and Hourihane have been replaced by Horgan and Molumby.
Some of the players have looked a little tired in the second half, so it felt a change was needed.
Horgan almost makes an immediate impact.
He controls a lofted ball and crosses towards Idah, but the defender is well placed to make the interception.
James McClean overhits the subsequent corner.
Egan gets an important block in to stop Kleinheisler’s goal-bound shot from the edge of the area.
The tempo of this game has increased in the last few minutes.
Kleinheisler gets away from the challenge of O’Shea.
However, his cross goes straight into the arms of Kelleher.
Idah attempts a low shot from about 30 yards out.
Adam Bogdan, who has just come on, gets down well to parry it away.
Duffy makes a very good last-ditch tackle as Nego bursts through on goal.
The Irish defender injures himself in making that challenge, but he should be okay to continue.
Knight is fouled by Szalai, after good work by Idah in the build-up.
It earns Ireland a free kick in a promising position, but Cullen’s delivery is cleared behind for a corner by Kecskés.
Knight puts in a decent cross, but Kecskés gets to the ball ahead of Idah and wins a free kick.
The Derby youngster has been one of Ireland’s standout players this evening, showing great energy even deep into the second half.
Knight’s cross finds McClean, whose header is saved by Bogdan.
Ireland have produced some decent attacks of late, with Knight looking more comfortable since switching to the right-hand side.
As I type, Szalai gets on the end of a cross, but his header is tipped over by Kelleher.
From the ensuing corner, the Liverpool youngster makes another good save, parrying away Szalai’s shot after the ball breaks kindly for him on the edge of the area.
Another change for Ireland.
Ryan Manning replaces James McClean, who has worked tirelessly down that left flank.
Another half-chance for Hungary.
Dara O’Shea makes a mess of his attempted clearance, before Szalai curls a shot just wide from the edge of the area.
A double change for Ireland.
Collins replaces Idah, while Ogbene is on for his senior international debut, replacing Knight.
The Nigeria-born winger almost scores straight away. Horgan plays him through on goal, but he can only find the side-netting from a tight angle.
Shane Duffy gets a deserved man-of-the-match award from RTE. He’s looked really solid this evening.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time.
FULL-TIME: HUNGARY 0-0 IRELAND
So that’s that.
It’s finished 0-0 and a draw is probably a fair result, as it’s been a pretty evenly fought match.
Kenny can take positives from the performances of a number of players — Shane Duffy, John Egan, Jason Knight and both goalkeepers were among the standouts for Ireland.
They were up against a side who are going to the Euros and who are on a long unbeaten run, so from that perspective, 0-0 is a decent result.
There were some familiar problems though. Ireland looked a little bit lacklustre and lacked dynamism in attack at times, particularly in the first half.
They improved after the break, however, and had a couple of decent half-chances, though Hungary also went close on a couple of occasions too.
Right, that’s it from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have plenty more reaction to follow.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
International Friendly Liveblog Minute-by-Minute Hungary Ireland Republic