Greece
Republic of Ireland
Gibraltar
France 1
Latvia 2
Zambia
Scotland 0
Slovakia 0
Republic of Ireland 0 - 0 Bulgaria
REPORT | Ireland 0-0 Bulgaria
Stephen Kenny’s side saw Ryan Manning make his senior debut, while there were also first competitive starts for Jason Knight and Ronan Curtis.
In the opening period, James Collins came closest for Ireland forcing a save from Martin Lukov, and also heading over the bar. Shane Duffy also came close on the half-hour mark. His header went wide.
While Ireland had the majority of chances, the visitors had chances. Aleksander Tsvetkov took advantage of a defensive mixup, but Kevin Long was on hand to block a shot.
Kenny’s side started the second half the brighter with Collins and Ronan Curtis coming closest. Robbie Brady’s shot from outside the box hit the crossbar with 20-minutes to go, as the home side continued in search of a goal.
Despite numerous chances for both sides near the end, neither could break the deadlock as Bulgaria were relegated to League C.
The draw means Ireland will play in League B in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.
Ireland: Darren Randolph; Dara O’Shea, Shane Duffy (capt), Kevin Long, Ryan Manning (Cyrus Christie 86); Jason Knight, Conor Hourihane; Ronan Curtis (Troy Parrott 86), Robbie Brady (Jack Byrne 78), Daryl Horgan (Josh Cullen 67); James Collins (Sean MAguire 86)
Bulgaria: Martin Lukvov; Strahil Popov (capt), Kristian Dimitrov, Georgi Angelov, Cicinho (Aleksandar Vasilev 60); Kristiyan Malinov, Aleksander Tsvetkov; Spas Delev (Svetoslav Kovachev 60), Dimitar Iliev (Denislav Aleksandrov 81), Galin Ivanov (Birsent Karagaren 60); Bozhidar Kraev
PREVIEW | Ireland v Bulgaria
Fixture | Ireland v Bulgaria
Date | Wednesday, November 18
Kick-off | 7.45pm
Location | AVIVA Stadium
TV | Live on Sky Sports. Extended highlights on Virgin Media 2
WHAT THE MANAGER SAID
Ireland manager Stephen Kenny
"Tomorrow's game is very important, and then we focus on the World Cup Qualifiers in March. By then, we'll have a back four that's back of players available like Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, John Egan and Enda Stevens. We'll have players like James McCarthy and Hary Arter available and attacking players like Aaron Connolly and Callum Robinson. That's just off the top of my head."
"These players that are getting their opportunity, will supplement the players, and create competition for places... We're building a squad of players."
Watch the full press conference on FAI TV here...
WHAT THE PLAYER SAID
Ireland defender Conor Hourihane
"It hasn't been an easy camp, but everyone that's here will want to make an impression. It's their chance to shine now, and that's what happens in football. Chances come by in strange times. Lads will want to take their chance and prove to the manager what they're about."
"It's such a shame [without fans]. The supporters, the intensity, the energy around stadiums isn't there at the minute. That's just life."
Watch the full press conference on FAI TV here...
TEAM NEWS
Speaking at today's press conference Stephen Kenny said Callum O'Dowda is suffering from "a bit of a dead leg". Kenny added the medical team will keep an eye on the Bristol City player in the coming hours.
Four players have been called into the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Bulgaria.
Shamrock Rovers duo Graham Burke and Aaron McEneff come into the squad as well as U-21 duo Troy Parrott and Jack Taylor.
The Millwall forward, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, and the Peterborough United midfielder will now link up with the senior squad.
Jeff Hendrick has been ruled out of the Bulgaria through suspension due to his red card against Wales. Jayson Molumby has also been suspended as he picked up his second yellow card of the UEFA Nations League campaign.
Forward Adam Idah has also been ruled out of the Bulgaria match through injury and has returned to his club.
PROGRAMME
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Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Kevin Long (Burnley), Shane Duffy (Celtic), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Ryan Manning (Swansea City).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Jason Knight (Derby County), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Aaron McEneff (Shamrock Rovers), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United).
Attackers: James Collins (Luton Town), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Graham Burke (Shamrock Rovers), Troy Parrott (Millwall, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur).
Tactical Lineups
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 1 Mark Travers (G)
- 16 Caoimhin Kelleher (G)
- 2 Cyrus Christie
- 5 Ciaran Clark
- 7 Josh Cullen
- 12 Graham Burke
- 13 Jack Taylor
- 14 Jack Byrne
- 18 Troy Parrott
- 19 Seán Maguire
- 21 Darragh Lenihan
- 22 Aaron McEneff
Coach
Stephen Kenny
Bulgaria
Substitutes
- 23 Ivan Karadzhov (G)
- 4 Aleksandar Vasilev
- 7 Dominic Yankov
- 8 Serkan Yusein
- 11 Yanis Karabelyov
- 12 Denislav Aleksandrov
- 14 Radoslav Terziev
- 17 Birsent Karagaren
- 21 Svetoslav Kovachev
Coach
Georgi Dermendzhiev
Officials
- Referee Lawrence Visser
- Assistant Referees Thibaud Nijssen
- UEFA Delegate Jan Willem Van Dop
- Assistant Referee Two Rien Vanyzere
- Fourth Official Bram Van Driessche
- Referee Observer Michael Argyrou
Match Statistics
- Republic of Ireland
- Bulgaria
Minute by Minute Commentary