Republic of Ireland 1 - 2 Netherlands | 2024 - UEFA European Qualifiers | 2036407

European Qualifiers Qualifying - Group B | Aviva Stadium, Dublin

10 September 2023 - 19:45

Republic of Ireland 1 - 2 Netherlands

Idah(5) full-time Gakpo(19) Weghorst(56)

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Report | Ireland 1-2 Netherlands - Defeat in Dublin

The Republic of Ireland were defeated at home to the Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium in the fifth match of UEFA 2024 Qualification.

10th Sep 2023

Stephen Kenny’s side got off to the perfect start with a goal in the opening minutes from an Adam Idah penalty but the Netherlands struck back with a penalty from Gakpo and a second-half strike from Weghorst sealing the win for the away side.

Ireland had a first opportunity to open the scoring after an initial high press on the Dutch defence with a backpass to Flekken seeing the ball fall to Ogbene whose shot was deflected from the corner. The resulting corner saw Van Djik handle the ball in the area with Ireland being awarded a penalty. Adam Idah stepped up and slotted the ball calmly past Flekken to open the scoring.

Following some excellent play down the right, Matt Doherty forced a corner in which both Cullen and Duffy had sight on goal but both opportunities were blocked down by the Dutch defence.

Nathan Collins was forced to head clear a Gakpo free kick as Aké was poised to strike at the back post with the resulting corner seeing Shane Duffy clear the ball. The Netherlands was awarded a penalty following a through ball to Dumfries saw him taken down by Bazunu.

Despite getting a hand to the ball Bazunu couldn’t stop Gakpo’s spot kick that saw Netherlands equalise. Bazunu was then forced to make an excellent save following a run from deep from Simons that saw his effort blocked by the Irish netminder with a low save.

Ireland was awarded a free kicking following Aké fouling Ogbene with Brownes' effort from the edge of the area going the wrong side of the post. Ireland continued to press with Idah and Ogbene combining with his effort being blocked wide for a corner.

For the Netherlands Dumfries headed wide from a corner following some excellent defending from James McClean in the initial build-up. Bazunu made another fine safe denying Simons once again using his feet to stop the Dutch winger.

Simons was to go close once again striking a volley first time from the edge of the Irish area that saw his effort looping over Bazunu’s bar. In the second half, Ireland earned a free kick in a promising area following a good run from Ogbene down the right, McClean's delivery was cleared by Weghorst en route to the back post.

The Netherlands was to go ahead following that effort as the ball was played into the Irish area that was headed down by Dumfries with Weghorst steering the ball past Bazunu at the near post. Ireland was to have another sight on goal from a set piece with Nathan Collins the target however the ball just evaded the Irish defender.

Ireland continued to press for an equalizer but couldn’t find a way past the stern Dutch defence. Simons broke down the right once again and looked certain to test Bazunu only for an excellent defensive tackle by McGrath for a corner that was cleared at the first attempt.

In the final moments of the match, a Will Smallbone free kick was sent into the Dutch area and was cleared at the first attempt. Ireland maintained possession with Ebosele forcing a corner which the Dutch were able to clear. Next for Stephen Kenny’s side is a home match against Greece next month followed by an away tie to Gibraltar.

Republic of Ireland: Bazunu, Duffy (C), Egan (McGrath 72), Cullen, Browne (Smallbone 72), Idah, Doherty (Ebosele 86), McClean (Manning 63), N. Collins, Knight (Armstrong 86), Ogbene.
Subs not used: Kelleher (GK), O'Leary (GK), O'Shea, Hendrick, Molumby, Connolly, Omobamidele.

Netherlands: Flekken, De Ligt, Van Dijk ©, Aké, Simons (Berghuis 89), Gakpo (Lang 80), Blind (Weghorst 46), Malen (Koopmeiners 68), Wieffer (Reijnders 46), F. de Jong, Dumfries.
Subs not used: Verbruggen (GK), Noppert (GK), van de Ven, De Vrij, Hartman, De Roon, Veerman, Koopmeiners.

Player of the Match: Jason Knight

Match Preview | Republic of Ireland v Netherlands

Republic of Ireland will be looking for a crucial victory in their bid for UEFA EURO 2024 qualification when they welcome the Netherlands to the Aviva Stadium tomorrow night.

9th Sep 2023

Ireland come into the game on the back of a 2-0 defeat to World Cup finalists France on Thursday night where they delivered a spirited performance against a world-class French side.

Stephen Kenny will be looking for his side to deliver an important win to keep their qualification hopes alive against an impressive Netherlands outfit with the Aviva Stadium sold-out for what promises to be a special night in Dublin 4.

Match Details

Competition: UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying
Fixture: Republic of Ireland v Netherlands
Venue: Aviva Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Date: Sunday, September 10
TV: RTE

Match Officials

Referee: Irfan Peljto (BIH)
Assistant Referee 1: Davor Beljo (BIH)
Assistant Referee 2: Damir Lazić (BIH)
Fourth Official: Miloš Gigovic (BIH)
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Mario Zebec (CRO)

Team News

Matt Doherty is available for the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands after returning from suspension.

Strikers Sinclair Armstrong and Jonathan Afolabi are also in contention after being called into the squad ahead of the game to replace Will Keane who suffered an injury in the 2-0 defeat to France.

Stephen Kenny has also confirmed that Enda Stevens has been ruled out of the match following injury against France.

Manager Stephen Kenny | MD-1 Press Conference v Netherlands

"It's a great game, Sunday night in Dublin, in the Aviva Stadium, the anticipation, it's a sellout for a long time, people are excited about the game, it has a real edge to it.

"Holland have a great tradition, they've had a lot of great teams. [That] was their best performance against Greece, they changed things around tactically and they played very well. So it's a very, very tough challenge ahead against Holland but one that we're happy to embrace and take on. We're excited by the game.

"Holland have players of the highest calibre, players with the top clubs. We've gone toe to toe with some of the best teams and we must raise our game and get our best victory yet as a team, that's what we'd have to do and that's the challenge for us.

"We know a victory is important for us, we'll prepare as well as we can after just coming back on Thursday night, make sure we're ready. The players are clear on how we're going to play and we'll certainly be tested against this team. We'll have to match them, and we are capable of doing that, and we have to show the belief and conviction to try and get the win that we need."

Defender Shane Duffy | MD-1 Press Conference v Netherlands

"We know it is a huge game and it will be one we're looking forward to. We will have to thrive off it and make it a special night.

"It is more memories we can create. Personally, I talk to my kids about big nights for my country and those memories, it is another chance now to make it another special night for us all."

WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE HERE

Match Facts - Republic of Ireland v Netherlands

- This is the first meeting between the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands since a May 2016 friendly match, a 1-1 draw. It’s their first competitive game since Eire won 1-0 in a September 2001 World Cup qualifier.
- In European Championship qualifying, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands last faced in a play-off to qualify for Euro 96 – the Dutch won 2-0 at Anfield in what was Jack Charlton’s last game in charge of the Boys in Green.
- The Republic of Ireland have lost only four of their last 46 home European Championship qualifying matches (W26 D16), although one of those was earlier this year against France, losing 1-0. They haven’t lost two in one qualifying campaign since losing to Italy and Austria in Euro 1972 qualifying.
- Having lost 4-0 at France in their last away game in a European Championship qualifier in March (their heaviest ever away defeat in a Euro qualifier), the Netherlands are looking to avoid losing consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time since a run of four between March and October 2014.
- The Republic of Ireland have scored nine goals in their last four competitive home games, netting three goals against each of Scotland, Armenia and Gibraltar – this is more than they had scored in their previous 15 competitive home games combined (8), between November 2017 and June 2022.
- The Netherlands have only failed to score in one of their previous 25 matches across all competitions, netting 61 goals in this run at an average of 2.4 per game. The only team to shut them out in this run was France, who beat them 4-0 back in March in a European Championship qualifier.
- Since the start of 2022, Alan Browne has scored more goals for the Republic of Ireland than any other player (3), with all three being netted at the Aviva Stadium. Indeed, no player has made more appearances for the national team than Browne in this period (14 – level with John Egan and Nathan Collins).
- Cody Gakpo has been directly involved in eight goals in his last 13 starts for the Netherlands (7 goals and 1 assist), scoring in seven different matches during this run, including last time out in a 3-0 win over Greece.

Republic of Ireland Squad - Netherlands

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Stoke City, on loan from AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolves), Festy Ebosele (Udinese), Ryan Manning (Southampton), James McClean (Wrexham), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Norwich City), Will Keane (Preston North End), Aaron Connolly (Hull City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town), Sinclair Armstrong (QPR), Jonny Afolabi (Bohemians).

UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying - Results/Fixtures

07/09 - France 2-0 Republic of Ireland, Parc des Princes
10/09 - Republic of Ireland v Netherlands, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm

Afolabi & Armstrong called up for Netherlands qualifier

Strikers Sinclair Armstrong and Jonathan Afolabi have been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad to face the Netherlands.

8th Sep 2023

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has moved to replace Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson, who pulled out of the squad earlier in the week due to injury, and Preston North End striker Will Keane, who suffered an injury in last night's defeat to France and has returned home.

Armstrong, who has scored one goal in five league appearances for QPR this season, has been promoted from the Ireland U-21 squad ahead of their games against Turkey and San Marino.

Afolabi has been in impressive form for Bohemians this season, scoring 11 goals in 27 matches, and links up with the squad ahead of Sunday's UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium.

Both players reported to the senior camp today and trained with the group at FAI HQ, Abbotstown.