Good afternoon and welcome to the Aviva Stadium for today’s liveblog on Ireland’s fourth qualification game of the campaign. Following Wednesday’s heartbreaking defeat, Stephen Kenny’s team are back on home soil and back playing in front of fans. The atmosphere is building nicely here around Lansdowne Road with just over 50 minutes to kick off. Let us know your thoughts on today’s match in the comments section below.

The big news is that Troy Parrott starts.

The Dubliner is one of three changes Stephen Kenny has made to his starting X1.Parrott, Jayson Molumby, and James McClean come into the side, replacing Jamie McGrath, Jeff Hendrick, and Dara O’Shea. 

It looks like Kenny will retain his 3-5-2 formation, with Matt Doherty swapping to right wing-back and a natural left-footer, McClean, at left wing-back. Seamus Coleman looks likely to replace O’Shea in the back three. 

STARTING XI | Ireland v Azerbaijan

Troy Parrott, Jayson Molumby and James McClean all come into the side 🙌

A young, exciting front-line as we return to the @AVIVAStadium 😃

Be loud and proud today 💚#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #IRLAZE pic.twitter.com/K063CvffeW

— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) September 4, 2021

Molumby replaces Hendrick in midfield. Parrott, Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah have been selected in an attacking looking side.

Paul Fennessy, a guy who studies these things closely, has come up with an interesting shout, however. He feels Kenny may go with a different formation to the one suggested above and different again to the one he opted for in Faro on Wednesday.

Could be wrong, but looking to me like a 4-2-3-1 for Ireland which Kenny often favoured with the U21s. McClean, Parrott and Connolly just behind Idah. https://t.co/KNE3ofqq7Q

— Paul Fennessy (@paulfennessy21) September 4, 2021

If you are looking for some pre-match reading then check out Gavin Cooney’s match preview here. Gavin makes the point that Ireland lost valiantly in Serbia last March and then squandered its benefits in that feckless, torpid loss to Luxembourg; Stephen Kenny needs his side to avoid the same trap this evening against Azerbaijan.

Elsewhere, there is an opinion piece here that argues that Stephen Kenny’s plan to blood youthful talent is worth persevering with, even if results have been terrible. The author argues:

Tasked with the immediate goal of getting the team to the next tournament, a succession of Ireland managers either didn’t feel they had the leeway to experiment, or else they just weren’t bothered. Declan Rice and Jack Grealish each spent years in the FAI system before being thieved away. A manager with Kenny’s mindset to promote youth would have resolved that issue long before it became one.

As it is, he has his own pressing matters to sort out this weekend. Three straight defeats in this World Cup campaign, one harrowing, two unfortunate, have left Ireland out of the running for a qualification spot and have opened up the motion about whether he deserves a new contract.

Results say he doesn’t. One win in 14 is shockingly poor. You can’t hide from that fact.

Yet amid the poor results there have enough good performances and the implementation of a defined plan to justify the discussion about whether he should be kept on.

Stephen Kenny has been outlining his thoughts on the Idah/Parrott/Connolly combo.

Stephen Kenny on the front three of Aaron Connolly, Troy Parrott and Adam Idah: “They could all play for our U21 team of course, but together they can be a potent three.”

📱Updates: https://t.co/wx2lUlkpiH
📺Watch: https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE#IRLAZE #WorldCup2022 #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/O5fLYXMH0S

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 4, 2021

round of applause at the Aviva as he we hear the lad with the bell for the first time in nearly two years

— Gavin Cooney (@gcooney93) September 4, 2021

It is something else to see so many fans back in the Aviva again after a couple of years.

Here’s Damien Delaney’s thoughts on the subject and here are some fine images of happy fans from sports agency, Inpho.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

"You can't help but feel it. You see the fans, it feeds into the players. Once the game starts, the fans play a key role."

Damien Delaney on the impact of the returning fans.#IRLAZE | #COYBIG | #WCQ pic.twitter.com/Pm39EWKXBT

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 4, 2021

Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO

We are about to get underway here.

Already, Ireland are looking good. Aaron Connolly’s pace is such a useful outlet for this Irish side. Fans in good voice.

John Egan has made a strong early impression, bringing the ball out of defence comfortably. Early prediction, Ireland to win this 3-0.

Three minutes -Shakhudrin Magomedaliyev makes a good take for Azerbaijan. Ireland on top, setting a good tempo.

Five minutes – Josh Cullen floats a nice ball into the area; Matt Doherty times his run in from right wing back but his header goes over the bar.

Six minutes – The pace of Adam Idah down the right hand side there for Ireland was just exhilarating; chance created for Aaron Connolly. Corner won. Point already made but the difference fans make to Ireland is already clear. They are helping to set the tempo here.

Seven minutes – Reckon I have seen more passes in the opening exchanges of this game than I did in the Trap years. Ireland are really playing positively here.

9 minutes – Seamus Coleman pops up from the back three to take the ball in his stride; he cuts in onto his left foot and curls a ball over the top of the crossbar. Ireland’s high press led to Aaron Connolly thieving possession. Cullen helped out. Ireland looking very, very good so far.

12 minutes – Much better stuff there from Azerbaijan. Tidy passing move that saw them sweep the play across from left to right and then straight across the park again. End shot was poor but in terms of technique, that whole passage of play was impressive.

13 minutes Quiet from Troy Parrott so far.

15 minutes – Two wing backs involved there, McClean crossing from the left; too few Irish players made it into the box; Doherty followed up with a poor cross.

17 minutes This game has settled down into a slower tempo after the frantic start to proceedings. Ireland have been measured in their passing but after looking like they would simply overwhelm Azerbaijan in the opening 10 minutes, the bold 3-0 prediction may now seem a bit excitable. 

22 minutes – So Azerbaijan have established a bit of a foothold into the game now; playing short, sharp passes in tight areas of the field. They look a reasonable team – although the suspicion remains that if Ireland get a goal ahead and then get the crowd back on their feet, then this could be a long evening for the visitors. Good save there from Gavin Bazunu.

Great start by Ireland, looking dangerous down right. Three shots in opening 10 mins, took 18 mins to have one vs Luxembourg

— Gavin Cooney (@gcooney93) September 4, 2021

Serbia have scored.

22: GOAL!

In-form Mitrović gets his goal as Serbia take advantage of a dominant opening 22 minutes. #SERLUX | #WCQ pic.twitter.com/ypZTQOm0n9

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 4, 2021

25 minutes – Shane Duffy clatters into Mahir Emrili, who looks like a superb player; Duffy follows up by producing three great headers. 

27 minutes – Better from Ireland, Cullen involved in the build-up; Connolly’s shot was blocked, Jayson Molumby curled a left-footed shot just wide.

30 minutes - Too few Irish players imposing themselves at the minute. That early optimism has faded somewhat. Ireland need a couple of players to take a grip of this game.

32 minutes – Just as we say that, Ireland move up a gear; Egan’s threaded pass to Connolly results in the Galwegian teasing the defence with his footwork before his cross his headed wide by Adam Idah. First goal, whoever gets it, will dictate the mood of the evening.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

37 minutes – McClean tackle gifts Connolly the chance to run at the Azerbaijan defence; he moved onto his right foot and offloaded a weak shot. Idah sought to get the rebound but arrived a second too late.

40 minutes - Serbia are now 2-0 up on Luxembourg; Ireland, meanwhile, are searching for inspiration. The excitement generated by those opening 10 minutes are barely relevant now. Azerbaijan in control of the game’s tempo; Cullen and Molumby need to do a lot more in midfield; likewise Parrott and Idah further forward.

44 minutes - That was better from Ireland; neat, quick passing, Coleman setting the move up, Molumby ending it with a wayward, crossfield pass.

One minute of additional time to be added on.

GOAL AZERBAIJAN

That was a stunning goal from Emin Makhmudov. The failure of Coleman and Cullen to stop the shot, however, will haunt them. The Azerbaijan midfielder received possession 25 yards from goal, teased the ball from one foot to the next, then unleashed a superb 25-yard strike. Ireland 0-1 Azerbaijan

HALF-TIME – Ireland 0-1 Azerbaijan

What did you make of that? Early on, as Ireland played at a tempo that was at times exhilarating, you really felt they would overpower their visitors. Then, in a blink of an eye, they pressed the go-slow button.

Too many players were anonymous after that opening 10-minute spell; and by too many we are talking about just about every one of them. The goal was exceptionally well taken and some of Azerbaijan’s play has been really impressive. More impressive certainly than the idiot who predicted a 3-0 win for Ireland earlier in this blog (how do you press delete?).

Tempo is key from now on. If Ireland can regain it, they have a chance of saving some pride and getting a win. Right now, they are in trouble. Azerbaijan have something to hold onto. Ireland, first and foremost, need to hold onto the ball.

Here is the Azerbaijan goal.

Republic of Ireland 0-1 Azerbaijan
Disaster for Ireland on the half-time whistle as Emin Makhmudov scores a stunner having been given far too much time on the edge of the box.

📱Updates: https://t.co/wx2lUlkpiH
📺Watch: https://t.co/2W5kFtUgZE#IRLAZE #WorldCup2022 #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/lKHFDfWxLa

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 4, 2021

Daryl Horgan is coming on.

Aaron Connolly makes way. Massive half of football in the career of Stephen Kenny right now.

46 minutes Horgan makes an immediate impact and his cross from the right is met by Molumby’s header which is just too high. Better, though, from Ireland.

48 minutes - so already we have seen better things from Ireland. Molumby has come alive; Coleman is stepping into midfield, Horgan is getting on the ball, so too Parrott.

51 minutes – penalty shout for Molumby; not given. McClean getting further forward than he did in the first half; Horgan making an impact, Parrott also getting to grips with this game.

54 minutes – Fields of Athenry being sung now. Tempo high on the field, atmosphere still positive in the stands. Scoreboard looking ugly, though.

56 minutes – McClean cross is heading for a corner when Molumby crashes into the Azerbaijan keeper and earns a yellow card for his trouble.

58 minutes - Ireland setting a decent tempo but there is a thin line between playing with manic intensity and panicking. This game is still there to be won but a goal is needed soon. Callum Robinson warming up.

60 minutes – Parrott shot saved. Ireland completely on top.

61 minutes Horgan cross is great; Idah’s header is not. He should have scored, but sends his header just wide.

62 minutes – Conor Hourihane and Robinson to come on; Molumby is going off as is Parrott.

64 minutes – Doherty had a claim for a penalty there. Not given.

64 minutes – Conor Hourihane curls a shot just over the bar. Ireland dominating the game.

65 minutes This is such a crucial period. Ireland are playing some good stuff but if a goal does not come soon, you can’t help but feel that the anxiety levels will soon rise. Doherty has had a better second-half.

67 minutes Robinson wins a free kick. He, Horgan and Hourihane have all made an impact since their introduction.

Hourihane’s free kick whizzes across the six-yard box. Azerbaijan hanging on for dear life here.

69 minutes – Shane Duffy heads over Robinson’s superb cross. Poor effort from the defender. Ireland are completely dominating this game. They deserve to be ahead, never mind level, but you fear the worst if they don’t get a goal soon.

Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO

72 minutes – Another free kick won by Ireland; Doherty fouled this time. Hourihane’s cross is met by John Egan whose header is easily saved.

74 minutes Horgan shoots narrowly wide, via a deflection. Ireland so much on top, a goal is deserved if it comes.

76 minutes – the quality has disappeared and poor decisions have been made in the last few minutes. Horgan is just after hitting a crossfield pass straight out of play; McClean then gives away possession.

77 minutes Tick, tock, tick, tock. Time is not Ireland’s friend. You still feel they will win this if they get a goal in the next few minutes. James Collins to come in.

Matt Doherty off to be replaced by James Collins.

80 minutes – Ireland break forward; Horgan overhits a simple pass to Coleman. It goes out for a throw-in and that kind of sums up Ireland’s night.

81 minutes – Great save from Bazunu from Akmedadze.

Seven and a half minutes to go.

This is grim.

85 minutes Big chance for Robinson. He misses it badly.

Ireland have had 18 attempts on goal. None taken.

GOAL IRELAND (SHANE DUFFY)

87 minutes – Fully deserved. Ireland have dominated this game, especially this half, and Cullen’s cross leads to Duffy’s header. Ireland really can win this now.

Robinson has a shot saved.

88 minutes Alan Browne is in for Josh Cullen.

89 minutes corner to Azerbaijan

Adam Idah is the man of the match.

89 minutes Bazunu spills the corner; Hourihane clears.

Five minutes injury time to be played

Four and a half minutes to go.

92 minutes  Robinson does well to create a chance but could not finish it with any power.

94 minutes Horgan cross is gathered by the Azerbaijan keeper.

Egan has gone up front.

Alan Browne gets a yellow card for a cynical but necessary foul as Azerbaijan break.

FULL-TIME Ireland 1-1 Azerbaijan

Ireland 1-1 Azerbaijan

So a deserved point but a frustrating day for Ireland. They left it late – Shane Duffy with the 86th minute equaliser – but really they should have won. This team have developed a habit of playing well but not making their chances count. Qualification for the World Cup is beyond them now, Serbia are nine points clear.

Some positives came from the game – Adam Idah’s performance being one of them – but you can’t sugarcoat the fact that they are allowing too many games to slip away.