STEPHEN KENNY SAID his side deserved to beat Armenia in their final Nations League game at the Aviva Stadium tonight, despite “a few minutes of madness” in which they blew a two-goal lead only to salvage a 3-2 win thanks to Robbie Brady’s injury-time penalty.
Ireland were cruising at 2-0 up only to suddenly find themselves back to 2-2 by conceding two long-range goals between the 71st and 73rd minutes.
Kenny said those goals came about because Ireland were too eager in chasing a third goal.
“I thought we played well overall”, said Kenny. “That’s the identity of the Irish team now: to dominate possession, although Armenia surrendered possession and dropped deep. We are certainly capable of stringing 20 and 30 passes together, we have no problem switching the play. We still want to improve the amount of chances we create.”
Asked whether he was concerned that the quick-fire concession of goals will mean his players will not be able to close out games in next year’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Kenny replied, “It doesn’t worry me at all. I think today we were 2-0 up and went chasing the third goal when we didn’t need to.
“We had centre-backs overlapping, we were 2-0 up in game we needed to win. We lost a bit of structure: you must maintain your structure of your back three, and some protection or that as well when you are winning 2-0. We weren’t losing 2-0. We went chasing a third goal and got punished, and we came back and got the winner. Overall it was a really good performance with a few minutes of madness, and it is something we can learn from in terms of taking responsibility of not being exposed when you are winning like that.”
Kenny said he is unworried by the creativity in his side, but said they must improve defensively.
“We have to get better at keeping clean sheets, it’s not the creativity that concerns me. To be successful that is an important dynamic in the team, we have to improve.”
Elsewhere, Armenia manager Joaquin Caparros cried foul post-game, claiming Ireland should not have been awarded a corner in the build-up to the handball from which they earned a penalty.
Caparros also wondered why Armenia have been on the wrong end of decisions in Dublin: their goalkeeper – now the goalkeeper coach – was wrongly sent off in a decisive Euro 2012 qualifier in Dublin back in 2011.
“Maybe it is a coincidence”, he said, “but when it happens twice you have to think about it.”
The Armenian press officer said they have not yet decided whether to lodge a complaint with Uefa.
Spoof merchant
@Patrick Breen: the hatred for sk on this platform is shocking, I cannot remember a manager bringing so many kids through to the 1st team at the same time, the squad has been in decline and in transition.For sure he shot himself in the foot by previously saying we should top this nation lge group, unfortunately that comment is coming back to bite him. Very fortunate tonight to get the win,we got too complacent and a mad 5 minutes nearly cost us, sk should be giving the next qualifiers and IF we are still struggling at the end of it well I think he will have no complaints if he is giving he’s P45?
@Pauly Kel: I’m a big fan of his and think they need to actually stay with him but some of the selections tonight were crazy. Parrott shocking against scotland and starts instead of ogbene. Hendrick was so poor but has been for so long. And then he spouts nonsense after the game. Better to just go,” you know what we have to be better than that”. Reality is we dont have a great pick. Even compared to previous managers. Even sicker I had Ireland minus 1 and watching them knock it around the back against 9 men. Players have to be braver. Next campaign is make or break. Imagine many more on the fence after tonight
@John Michael Mcdonald: agree 100% next campaign is make or break but I’d like to think the majority of us will back him through this hard time.. Yes some the deicisions were very questionable again tonight for sure,cannot be no excuses next campaign the kids have gained plenty experience along with sk now at senior international level.
@Pauly Kel: why does he get so many chances, any other Ireland manager would be gone if they were beaten by Azerbaijan,Luxembourg and Armenia in 2 different qualifying campaigns. Oh he brought through young players!!! Apparently that gives him an excuse to lose to teams ranked 40/50 places below us!! Come on people
@Noel Peacock: The reason he is still manager is simply because he has got all these “Kids” playing attractive passing football, winning really doesn’t matter anymore or qualifying for tournaments.
@Noel Peacock: So many chances because he’s played in total about one third of a premier league season ! It takes time.
@Leonard Barry: the beautiful game really is all about passing to be fair, I forgot that in my haste.
@Noel Peacock: I think the suits in the fai acknowledge that sk hasn’t too many proven experienced players at he’s disposal as Jack, Mon or mccarthy had,they have been patient as they know there is alot of young lads only starting to come through and understand it’s a rebuild.
People need a reality check. Before this game it was “Ireland don’t win enough games under kenny” . A win tonight is followed by “ we only beat Armenia”, absolute clown fan base. Been at the game tonight we where in complete control Bar that 10 mins. Hourihane horrible bad pass is inexcusable but also Everyone raving about Bazunu, he should save that second effort with ease. Game doesn’t get away from us then. Collins, obafemi, Brady big positives tonight. Let’s keep building.
@Darren Fitzpatrick: may get the premier league back soon darren, weirding me out all this agreeing with you.
@Brian Dunne: remember this moment come Sunday 4pm, we be back at it :(
Far cry from winning the group…
In Kenny we trust. It’s a results based business, or so the anti Kenny brigade were banging on, get a result and their tone changes. Ireland were the better team, a crazy few minutes undid that. But the spirit in the group to reunite and drive on was excellent. I’d like to see Collins as a defensive midfielder, he’s got the skills and would add some real grit in there.
Deluded, chasing my backside. Conceded because of the lack of chasing and allowing Armenia come on to them…
It’s time to raid the current U21′s again for the November matches.
I’m all for giving this guy time to do what he’s trying to do but cut out the BS Mr. Kenny. Not chasing a third goal against an awful team is a ridiculous thing to say. Also, saying we were “exceptional at times” is just delusional.
He must have been watching a different game?
Having possession, passing the ball neatly is of little value if you don’t do anything with it.
How many shots did Ireland have on target? How many chances did they create that weren’t from corners?
Including last night’s streaky result, it’s now seven wins in twenty-eight games, it’s losses against Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Luxembourg.
OK, this isn’t the most talented group of players, but have a look at some of the teams that are ranked above Ireland. How many of the big star players from the likes of Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Israel, Bosnia, or Finland can you name?
I thought it was worth trying Kenny, but sadly, like Brian Kerr before him, it seems that success in managing under-age international teams isn’t enough to make the step up to managing a full international team
@Lesidees: the players aren’t good enough to create much around the box bar corners/free kicks. Secondly, just because you arent familiar with a player does that mean they cant play football?
@Kieran Doherty: so what are you saying? That the likes of Finland or Israel have better footballers than Ireland, even though they are mostly playing in smaller leagues?
We don’t have the players, end of. How many of tonites squad would be picked for Spain, Croatia, England etc. Not one. With Ireland the result is everything coz team is unwatchable from football point of view