Ireland gave themselves a much-needed boost in their hopes of travelling to North America next year after a hard fought 1-0 win over Armenia in Dublin.
Evan Ferguson’s 70th minute strike was the difference between the two sides, with Armenia having played with 10 men for the majority of the second half.
As it happened
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side had to dig deep to keep their hopes of qualifying alive as they fended off a strong Armenian performance in Dublin. The Irish knew that a win was necessary to keep any chance of qualification alive and had to feel the weight of expectation throughout. Captain Nathan Collins had called for a strong response leading up to this game with his side putting up a valiant display in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Portugal.
Ireland started in a lacklustre fashion; they failed to really create much of anything against a resilient Armenian side who had the better of the first half chances when Eduard Spertsyan – the goal-scorer in the reverse fixture last month – fired just wide of goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher’s goal.
Ireland got the break they needed in the early second half. Armenian captain Tigran Barseghyan was shown a straight red for violent conduct as he clashed into Southampton midfielder Finn Azaz and was judged to have headbutted the player. After the dismissal, Armenia struggled as Ireland gained further confidence in the second half. Collins had his headed effort tipped onto the bar by the Armenian keeper Henri Avagyan before he also managed to claw away an effort from Dara O’Shea.
Avagyan also managed to deny a confident Ferguson after he was set up brilliantly by Azaz who himself had grown into the game since Tigrans dismissal.
Ferguson has had a mixed international career with Ireland so far, but the on-loan Roma forward has always had a knack for scoring important goals and he made sure to continue his streak for his country yet again. Heading home a Will Smallbone cross on the 70th minute to give Ireland the lead much to the relief of the Dublin crowd. Hallgrímsson’s side managed to hold on for a priceless three points.
The result moves Ireland up to third, still behind Hungary who came from behind to draw with leaders Portugal. The result was perhaps not an accurate reflection of the match; Ireland were sub-par for the first half and Armenia looked comfortable and at times even dominant. It wasn’t until Barseghyan saw red that Ireland snapped into gear. The 103rd highest ranked team in the world made Ireland look disjointed and lacklustre, prompting boos at half-time. Hallgrímsson may have work to do on the performance side, but he’ll be a relieved man at the victory which keeps Ireland’s slim hopes of qualifying for the World Cup next year alive for at least another month.
The lineups
IRE: Kelleher; O’Brien, Collins, O’Shea; Coleman, Smallbone, Molumby, Manning; Ebosele, Azaz, Ferguson
ARM: Avagyan; Piloyan, Muradyan, Mkrtchyan; Hovannisyan, Iwu, Spertsyan, Tiknizyan; Barseghyan, Ranos, Shaghoyan