The Republic of Ireland secured their second victory of the international window with a 1–0 win over Qatar at the Aviva Stadium.

A Nathan Collins header in the 5th minute proved to be the difference between the sides in a game that also saw three players make their senior Republic of Ireland debuts.

Heimir Hallgrímsson selected a strong and experienced side for this international friendly with Jack Moylan winning his second senior cap for the Republic of Ireland following his dream debut earlier this month, when he scored a hat-trick against Grenada. Séamus Coleman made his 80th appearance for the Boys in Green, while Corrie Ndaba, Jaden Umeh and Mason Melia all made their senior international debuts from the bench.

Ireland had the first shot on target inside the opening two minutes when Ogbene and Coleman combined down the right, with Coleman advancing into the area before the ball fell to Moylan at the near post, but his low effort was well blocked by Abunada for a corner.

Ireland opened the scoring in the 5th minute when a free kick delivered from the left by Moylan was excellently headed home by Nathan Collins, with the Irish captain’s effort beating Abunada at his near post.

Troy Parrott went close to adding a second when an excellent advancing run down the left by Moylan picked out the Irish striker, but his first-time curling effort drifted just wide of the post. This was followed by a strike from Jayson Molumby in the 23rd minute after some clever play from Moylan. The Qatari defence could only clear the ball as far as the Irish midfielder, whose effort from distance was well saved by Abunada.

Qatar had their first sight of goal from a free kick routine on the edge of the Irish area, with Elamin’s effort following a short pass from Afif sailing over Kelleher’s crossbar.

Ireland were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time as Jack Moylan was shown a straight red card following his challenge on Gaber. Qatar had the final attempt of the half, with Miguel blasting over from the edge of the area with an effort that did not trouble Kelleher.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Séamus Coleman had a sight of goal when he spotted the Qatari goalkeeper off his line and attempted an effort from distance, but it drifted over Abunada’s far post. This was followed by another effort from Qatar after they pressed through the middle with Edmilson Junior striking a low shot wide of the post.

Ireland had a half-chance from a corner when McGrath’s delivery found Parrott at the back post, but his effort was cleared by the Qatari defence.

Caoimhín Kelleher was forced into an excellent save when a shot from the edge of the area by Alaaeldin took a deflection off Nathan Collins. The change in direction forced the Irish goalkeeper into action, and he did well to push the ball away.

Qatar were reduced to ten men as Almoez Ali was shown a straight red card following an altercation with Molumby. In the next Irish attack, Nathan Collins had a shot blocked by Madibo after the Irish defender latched onto a McGrath corner.

Ireland went close to adding a second in the 84th minute when a McGrath free kick was delivered to the back post, where Collins headed the ball across the face of goal, but with the goal at his mercy, the onrushing Troy Parrott could not make the vital connection.

Ireland will conclude this international window with a trip to Montreal, where they will face Canada on Friday, June 5th, as the hosts continue their preparations for the World Cup.

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (GK), Coleman, Scales (Ndaba 74), O’Shea (Abankwah 46), O’Brien, Molumby, Parrott (Melia 89), Moylan, McGrath, Ogbene (Umeh 74), Collins (C).

Subs not used: Brann (GK), McGinty (GK), Abankwah, Hodge, Phillips, A. Murphy, Brennan.

Qatar: Abunada (GK), Miguel, Laye (Mendes 78), Gaber (Boudiaf 59), Edmilson Junior (Alaaeldin 59), Afif (Ali 59), Al-Oui (Al-Ali 78), Elamin (Al Hussain 78), Abdurisag (Jamshid 78), Khoukhi © (Madibo 59), Fathi (Al-Mannai 59) (Alhaydos 86).

Subs not used: S. Hassan (GK), Hatim, Muntari, Al-Ganehi, Al-Brake, Jamshid.

Booked: None

Sent Off: Moylan (Ireland), Almoez Ali (Qatar)

Player of the Match: Liam Scales (Ireland)

Referee: Jamie Robinson (NIR)
Attendance: 28,941