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Republic of Ireland 0 - 1 Luxembourg
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REPORT | Ireland 0-1 Luxembourg
The solitary strike came in the eighty-fifth minute with Rodrigues hitting a long-range effort that beat Bazunu.
Stephen Kenny made three changes from the side that lost to Serbia last Wednesday; Mark Travers, Aaron Connolly and Jason Molumby came out of the starting line up and were replaced by James Collins, Gavin Bazunu and Jason Knight.
The first chance fell to the visitors when Vincent Thill had the first shot on target for Luxembourg with a low drive but Gavin Bazunu was equal to the effort.
Ireland with plenty of possession had their first opportunity when Seamus Coleman sent a cross into the area which was met by Alan Browne but he couldn’t direct his header goalwards.
James Collins went very close to opening the scoring as he met a low cross sent into him by Callum Robinson, Anthony Morris Luxembourg’s keeper denied Collins with a fine save.
Ireland continued to press with Callum Robinson instrumental in Ireland’s forward play. Despite numerous advances on the Luxembourg goal, the visitor's defence cleared any danger.
For Ireland, Ciaran Clark did excellently to block an attempt from Gerson Rodrigues who looked to test Bazunu with an effort from the edge of the area. Gerson Rodrigues had another attempt on goal with a high looping effort that Bazunu was alert to and he did brilliantly to initially parry the ball and then cover it on the second attempt in what was an excellent save.
For the second half, Ireland brought on Robbie Brady and he made an immediate impact by putting in an excellent cross into the area that Alan Browne couldn’t get make a proper connection.
The first chance in the second period for Luxembourg fell to Olivier Thill as he had a long-range free-kick that went wide following a foul from Ciaran Clark.
Alan Browne had an excellent opportunity to put Ireland ahead when a free-kick sent into the area by Robbie Brady was met by Browne but his effort just went wide of the post. Vincent Thill forced Gavin Bazunu into a save with his feet following a low shot at the keepers near post.
Callum Robinson had another opportunity on goal but his shot went over the bar. James Collins went close once again after some quick passing play Robbie Brady sent a cross into the area to which Collins’ overhead kick hit the side netting.
Shane Long was introduced to the game and he nearly made an impact with a header from a cross that Brady sent into the area but Moris was equal to the effort.
Luxembourg took the lead with a strike from Gerson Rodrigues, Anthony Moris sent a long ball forward and Rodrigues turned goalward and hit a low effort with pace that Bazunu could not save.
Ireland continued to press in search of an equaliser but it never came and Luxembourg took the three points.
Ireland: Gavin Bazunu (GK), Seamus Coleman ©, Enda Stevens, Ciaran Clark (James McClean 60), Jason Knight, Matt Doherty (Robbie Brady 46), Alan Browne, James Collins (Troy Parrott 87), Callum Robinson (Shane Long 72), Josh Cullen (Jayson Molumby 87), Dara O'Shea.
SUBS: Mark Travers (GK), Kieran O'Hara (GK), Shane Duffy, Jeff Hendrick, Daryl Horgan, Darragh Lenihan, Cyrus Christie.
Luxembourg: Anthony Moris (GK), Maxime Chanot, Enes Mahmutovic, Christopher Martins, Danel Sinani (Lars Gerson 90), Gerson Rodrigues, Vincent Thill (Maurice Deville 78), Olivier Thill, Leandro Barreiro (C) , Laurent Jans, Marvin Martins.
SUBS: Ralph Schon (GK), Lucas Fox (GK), Florian Bohnert, Timothe Rupil, Eldin Dzogovic, Michael Pinto, Aldin Skenderovic, Edvin Muratovic , Sébastien Thill.
Referee: Fran Jović (CRO)
Tactical Lineups
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 1 Mark Travers (G)
- 23 Kieran O'Hara (G)
- 4 Shane Duffy
- 10 Robbie Brady
- 11 James McClean
- 13 Jeff Hendrick
- 14 Daryl Horgan
- 15 Jayson Molumby
- 18 Shane Long
- 19 Troy Parrott
- 21 Darragh Lenihan
- 22 Cyrus Christie
Coach
Stephen Kenny
Luxembourg
Substitutes
- 12 Ralph Schon (G)
- 23 Lucas Fox (G)
- 5 Florian Bohnert
- 6 Timothe Rupil
- 7 Lars Gerson
- 13 Eldin Dzogovic
- 14 Maurice Deville
- 17 Michael Pinto
- 19 Aldin Skenderovic
- 20 Edvin Muratovic
- 21 Sébastien Thill
Coach
Luc Holtz
Officials
- Referee Fran Jović
- Assistant Referees Borut Križarić
- UEFA Delegate Michael O'brien
- Assistant Referee Two Luka Pušic
- Fourth Official Mario Zebec
- Referee Observer Michael Thomas Ross
Match Statistics
- Republic of Ireland
- Luxembourg
Minute by Minute Commentary