MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 13:48:55| >> :120:85853:85853:
[monks data]
Attendance: 24,385
Georgia national football team
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Oct 12, 2019 at 2pm UK
 
Republic of Ireland national football team

0-0

FT

Republic of Ireland held by Georgia

Mick McCarthy's side remain in a strong position in Group D after the Euro 2020 qualifier stalemate in Tbilisi.

Debutant Aaron Connolly very nearly snatched victory in Georgia after coming off the bench to spark a late Republic of Ireland surge.

The 19-year-old forced a 90th-minute save from keeper Giorgi Loria and then fired into the side-netting when he might have done better in a lightning cameo which almost paid rich dividends.

Defender Shane Duffy, who had led a concerted rearguard action for much of a tight Euro 2020 qualifier in Tbilisi, headed straight at Loria from an injury-time corner, but Ireland ultimately had to make do with a 0-0 Group D draw.

In truth, they deserved no more from a performance which, barring a late onslaught, lacked inspiration against a Georgia side which was far more creative, but could not find the cutting edge to reap the rewards of their good work.

The Republic's qualification hopes were dealt a blow as a result of the two priceless points left behind at the Boris Paichadze Arena with Tuesday's already difficult trip to Switzerland now assuming even greater proportions.

Having endured desperately close encounters on their last two trips to Tbilisi, Ireland knew exactly what to expect, and they found themselves back-pedalling within seconds of the kick-off when Valeri Qazaishvili exchanged passes with Jano Ananidze on the edge of the box before screwing a shot wide.

However, Georgia boss Vladimir Weiss' worst fears were almost realised with just four minutes gone, if from an unexpected source.

Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy watches on
Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy watches on (Steven Paston/PA)

The Slovakian had admitted his concern at Duffy's potency from set-pieces, but it was John Egan who got to Conor Hourihane's free-kick to glance a header across the helpless Loria, only to see the ball come back off the post.

Georgia's assault continued apace with Otar Kiteishvili orchestrating from the middle of the pitch behind the lively Ananidze and Qazaishvili, prompting a determined rearguard action from the visitors, who were creating little of note in response.

Strong in the tackle and decisive on the ball, the home side pressed Ireland back into their own half to leave striker James Collins painfully isolated in his first start for his country.

Matt Doherty, playing at left-back in the absence of the suspended Enda Stevens, threatened to change the flow of the game when he embarked upon his first run of note with 27 minutes gone, surging past Georgian defenders on his way into the penalty area, but he was unable to deliver his cross before the ball ran out of play.

James McClean was unable to help the Republic to victory in Tbilisi
James McClean was unable to help the Republic to victory in Tbilisi (Steven Paston/PA)

The traffic remained largely one-way and the Republic were indebted to Duffy, whose presence in Tbilisi was in doubt until Wednesday because of a calf injury, and he repelled a series of crosses from full-backs Jemal Tabidze and Otar Kakabadze.

But for all their possession and intent, Georgia were unable to create clear-cut opportunities with Qazaishvili dragging a 42nd-minute effort from distance well wide at the end of a counter-attack launched by striker Giorgi Kvilitaia after James' McClean had underhit a pass to Glenn Whelan.

Mick McCarthy's men continued to defend with their traditional stubbornness after the break with Egan matching Duffy's aerial prowess inside his own box, although keeper Darren Randolph was relieved to see Ananidze's 66th-minute free-kick sail high over his crossbar.

McCarthy made his move with 11 minutes remaining when he sent on Connolly for his first senior cap, and the youngster might have won it at the death with a low drive which prompted a solid save by Loria, before blasting into the side-netting and then Duffy's big chance.

ID:374802: cacheID:374802:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9961:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aaron Connolly in action for Brighton & Hove Albion on July 24, 2018
Read Next:
Georgia vs. Republic of Ireland: The key talking points
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain870121
Q Scotland flag Scotland852117
3 Norway Norway832311
4 Georgia Georgia82248
5 Cyprus Cyprus80080

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France871022
Q Netherlands Netherlands860218
3 Greece Greece841313
4 Ireland Rep. Ireland82066
5 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar80080

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England862020
Q Italy Italy842214
3 Ukraine Ukraine842214
4 Macedonia N. Macedonia82248
5 Malta flag Malta80080

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Turkey Turkey852117
Q Croatia Croatia851216
3 Wales flag Wales833212
4 Armenia Armenia82248
5 Latvia Latvia81073

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Albania national flag Albania843115
Q Czech Republic Czech Republic843115
3 Poland Poland832311
4 Republic of Moldova Moldova824210
5 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands80262

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Belgium Belgium862020
Q Austria Austria861119
3 Sweden Sweden831410
4 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan82157
5 Estonia Estonia80171

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Hungary Hungary853018
Q Serbia Serbia842214
3 Montenegro Montenegro832311
4 Lithuania Lithuania81346
5 Bulgaria Bulgaria80444

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Denmark Denmark1071222
Q Slovenia Slovenia1071222
3 Finland Finland1060418
4 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan1060418
5 Northern Ireland flag N. Ireland103079
6 San Marino flag San Marino1000100

Group I

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania1064022
Q Switzerland Switzerland1045117
3 Israel Israel1043315
4 Belarus Belarus1033412
5 Kosovo flag Kosovo1025311
6 Andorra flag Andorra100282

Group J

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal10100030
Q Slovakia Slovakia1071222
3 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg1052317
4 Iceland Iceland1031610
5 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina103079
6 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein1000100


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!