Ireland boss Martin O'Neill's charges could only muster a disappointing 1-1 draw against Gordon Strachan’s Scotland at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon. In what was a must win game if they were to stay in contention for one of the two automatic qualification places, it now leaves Ireland fighting to gain the third place playoff position in the group.
In the first half in what was by far Ireland’s most positive half of football under Martin O'Neill, Ireland’s midfield pressed high and caused Scotland numerous problems with Hendrick, McCarthy and Whelan in particular causing a lot of problems.
Ireland created numerous half chances throughout out the first half with some good play down the right hand side but Ireland could not find the finished product. Ireland’s hard work paid off, rather fortunately, a Wes Hoolahan header was not dealt with and Jonathan Walters put away the rebound to give Ireland the lead just before half time.
Ireland's Jonathan Walters celebrates scoring the opening goal ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Ireland continued to apply pressure as the half ended and set themselves up well for the second.
The second half started off terribly as reminiscent of the previous meeting between these sides Shaun Maloney picked the ball near the Irish goal and unleashed a left footed curler that seemed destined to go wide until an unfortunate deflection off Irish captain John O'Shea steered in into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Ireland’s Marc Wilson and Steven Fletcher of Scotland ©INPHO/James Crombie
After such a positive first half from Ireland the goal seemed to have shook them and they never got back into the rhythm they had built up in the first half. Ireland resulted to long ball tactics which did pay dividends at times with Ireland’s corner count growing rapidly as the game progressed but with no end product.
Even the additional introduction of Long, Keane and McClean could not help Ireland create any clear cut chances and the game fizzled out at the end to finish in a disappointing draw.
With Poland having a comprehensive 4-0 win against Georgia Ireland now lie in 4th and 5 points of the leaders Poland and a point behind world champions Germany who have a game in hand.
IRELAND: Given; Coleman, O’Shea (c), Wilson, Brady; Whelan (McClean 68), McCarthy; Hendrick, Hoolahan (Keane 72), Walters; Murphy (Long 80).
SCOTLAND: Marshall, Hutton, Forsyth, Martin, Mulgrew, Maloney, Morrison, Brown (c) (McArthur 85), S Fletcher, Naismith (Berra 92), Ritchie (Anya HT).
