Evan Ferguson scores Ireland’s equaliser during the Uefa Nations League playoff, second leg against Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Republic of Ireland maintained their League B status in the Nations League tonight with a 2-1 victory over Bulgaria in The Aviva stadium, and a 4-2 victory on aggregate over the two legs.
Heimir Hallgrímsson made two changes to the side that won 2-1 away from home last Thursday. Ryan Manning and Dara O’Shea dropped out, replaced by Everton’s Jake O’Brien and Evan Ferguson.
The home side started brightly. Mikey Johnston and Finn Azaz linking up well. The latter forced a corner, taken by Robbie Brady, who was excellent. O’Brien met Brady’s beautiful ball in and forced a good save from the Bulgarian goalkeeper.
Brady again looked lively on the left side, cleverly linking up with the attack and midfield. A lovely ball in the ninth minute found Mikey Johnston unmarked. The West Brom man will be bitterly disappointed not to test the keeper with his header, or shoulder effort!
Bulgaria started to press high without causing Caoimhin Kelleher any trouble. The Ireland midfield of Josh Cullen and Jason Knight kept the ball ticking over. O’Brien and Captain Nathan Collins looked confident on the ball. Matt Doherty on his 50th cap linked up well with Johnston on the right causing a number of problems and joining the attack at times.
The boys in green had another great chance in the 23rd minute. It was the impressive Brady again who found Troy Parrott unmarked in the six yard box. Parrots left footed effort clipped the post and he will be thinking he should have scored. To Parrots relief, the linesman mistakenly gave it as offside and the scoreline remained 0-0.
In the 28th minute, and against the run of play, Bulgaria took the lead and levelled the tie. A corner kick, their first of the night, ended up being a scrappy goal conceded by Ireland. A ricochet found its way to Bulgaria’s number six, Antov who placed it by Kelleher who had no chance. A frustrating and disappointing goal to concede, O’Brien and Collins will be disappointed with their defensive contribution.
In the 41st minute, Jake O’Brien had a header cleared off the line to draw Ireland level on the night. Robbie Brady again the player to deliver, and it was the goal scorer Antov with the decisive clearance.
In front of a crowd of 40,156, the Bulgarians went in at half time, 1-0.
The second half started off sloppily from an Irish perspective. Mikey Johnston had a chance in the 48th minute. He selfishly backed himself rather than squaring it for the frustrated Evan Ferguson.
Finn Azaz had Ireland’s next half chance. A well cushioned header by Jake O’Brien found Azaz who volleyed well wide with his left foot. A better effort needed to match his overall contribution this evening, proving why he is instantly one of Ireland’s main players.
In the 54th minute, Evan Ferguson had his first real chance of the game. Ferguson, who looked tired and well off his previously high standards, shot early from 25 yards. The effort looked tired and one felt it was only a matter of minutes until he was substituted. (I would happily eat my words within eight minutes!)
Ireland drew level just after the hour mark. The ‘tired’ Ferguson took the ball on the half way line, dribbling towards the penalty box unchallenged. He played a neat one-two with Azaz before finding the roof of the net with a brilliant strike. A goal every Irish supporter will have wanted to see from our boy wonder,1-1.
Hallgrímsson freshened things up with a triple substitution in the 65th minute. Ryan Manning, Mark Sykes and Adam Idah entering the fray. It was the latter in the 83rd minute who finished the tie off. Sykes and Idah combined brilliantly and the Celtic man’s left footed volley from 8 yards out wrapped things up. A goal he fully deserved after making an impact off the bench. His 5th international goal.
The final whistle soon followed and the Irish fans were delighted to keep the League B status. Overall a good international window with plenty of positives. Robbie Brady provided many good moments with his wand of a left foot. Troy Parrott and Finn Azad also shone while Jake O’Brien got a valuable start at international level, well rewarded for his excellent club form of late. Evan Ferguson got 70+ minutes and a goal he really needed. Credit to Matt Doherty on his 50th cap tonight, and many Irish fans will be delighted with his performances over the two legs.
Roll on the next international window!