SHANE DUFFY WILL remember tonight forever but it certainly won’t be Ireland’s performance that he looks back on fondly.
The big centre-half bagged his first international goal four minutes into the World Cup qualifier with Georgia, but the Boys in Green were poor all over the park for the majority of the evening and ended up drawing 1-1.
“We got sloppy after scoring the goal,” the Brighton defender said post-match. “We couldn’t get on the ball and get things going. They dominated and scored a goal, which killed us a bit.
But we stuck at it and had three or four chances to win the game in the end. A point is probably fair.”
On getting off the mark at senior level, he added: “We knew their keeper would try and come for a lot of things and we just gambled on putting it on top of them. It worked early on and don’t think he came for any more after that.
“I didn’t know to do to be fair [after scoring]. I was delighted. Scoring for your country is what you dream of doing.
“I thought I did okay. I was a little bit sloppy on the ball but maybe I’m harsh on myself. I’m disappointed with how we conceded because I thought we defended the crosses and interceptions well.
“They got through with one little mistake at the back and they punished us.”
The Georgians had the lion’s share of possession throughout and Ireland were made to look second best, although the visitors did have opportunities to nick three points at the death.
“We knew they could take points off teams because they’re a good side,” Duffy went on. “That final end product is probably what they don’t have.
I’d say they’re better than some of the teams ranked above them. On paper, it’s not a glamorous side but that was difficult and it was when we played them at home too.
“We want to beat those teams but if you can’t beat them you need to avoid defeat and we did that. We’ll take that positive on to Tuesday.”
The result leaves Ireland two points adrift of Group D leaders Serbia, who come to Dublin in three days’ time, so they will have the chance to put things right at the Aviva Stadium.
“We know it’s a huge game and if we win that then we can potentially go top of the group. If we do that, we’re one step closer to the World Cup.”
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Well done girls. Saw the last 30 minutes. Some great goals
No offence is intended here but what’s being gained by this 9 nil thrashing.
There have been multiple mismatches in this group and others.
Is there any plan to eliminate these nothing games?
@James Croke: a better goal difference?
@James Croke: 3 World Cup qualifying points and a healthy goal difference – that’s what.
@A$AP Ragnick: it’s pointless , you’d need an abacus to calculate how many goals Germany have scored in this group-
@James Croke: especially Germany are not even in the group
@James Croke: Think you can’t just discount countries because of their weaker level tho. It’s a World Cup qualifier.. doesn’t matter if you’re a minnow or giant, everyone deserves a fair shot and some games surely. Sometimes even a win for little sides can be massive and have a real ripple effect in countries and participation levels.
@Ultan Corcoran: I’d hope simultaneously , they happen few and far between every 10
Years – in the meantime what is a 9 nil defeat doing for these players?
@James Croke: they can only play what’s put in front of them. Every game is part of a players development some mean more than others. Chill.
@James Croke: It won’t do whole pile tbf but I think its probably a reflection of a poorer organisation in what I’d imagine is a considerably poorer country. Not a whole lot the players can do but keep their heads up and be proud of playing for their nation. Bound to win a few games here and there.
Yiz’ll never bate de Irish
I thought it was the men’s qualifier.
@Roger Bond: the men wouldnt be able to score that many
@Danger: not sure they would score 9 goals in all of the WCQ group games combined
@Roger Bond: Shows you have very little knowledge of who and what Republic of Ireland teams are trying to qualify for and also a lack of respect for the ladies game in general. If your just looking for likes your pathetic
@Danger: true but they sure could concede that many. Any chance the ladies team could give the mens team some pointers on how to score goals, not concede and how to finish a game out?
@Danger: I’m sure they’d beat the Georgian women. Maybe not by as much.
Flat track bullies. They get beat by anyone what a half decent team