Republic of Ireland 2-3 Uruguay – Experimental Ireland side slide to dignified defeat against South Americans
There were not many there, but those that attended The Aviva Stadium in Dublin last night were treated to that rarest of things – an enthralling international friendly – as an experimental Republic of Ireland team severely tested a Uruguayan side which finished fourth at last summer’s World Cup.
Giovanni Trapattoni fielded a side in which his skipper Stephen Kelly, with 20 caps, was the most experienced member of the starting line-up. In fact the 11 players who took their places at kick-off had just 103 caps between them, two less than the rested Robbie Keane has earned himself.
Ireland lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Wigan Athletic’s James McCarthy given a first international start behind Shane Long in the hole. Andy Keogh was asked to play on the left hand side of the midfield, with Liam Lawrence on the opposite side.
Uruguay started with nine of the side who lined up against The Netherlands in the World Cup semi-final in Cape Town last June, with Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan spear-heading a front three alongside Edinson Cavani and the exciting newcomer Abel Hernandez.
The early stages saw Ireland dominating play; their wide midfielders and full backs doubled up on Uruguay’s wing backs, leaving the South American’s three centre halves being stretched to cover. Uruguay though were always dangerous on the break, their forwards like quicksilver bursting through Ireland’s inexperienced back four.
Despite being under pressire, Uruguay were incredibly 3-1 up at half-time with all the goals highlighting Ireland’s defensive fragility. The first saw a weak header by Keith Fahey ricochet off Cavani into the path of Uruguay’s skipper Diego Lugano who tucked the ball past Kieron Westwood.
Shane Long equalised immediately with a super header from a Liam Lawrence cross, but Cavani put the South Americans back in front on 22 minutes. Alvaro Pereira was allowed to work his way from the right hand side to the centre of the field, waltzing past a weak Fahey tackle to slide in Cavani who beat the offside trap before curling a delightful shot past Westwood.
Uruguay’s third goal was a joy to behold; Liam Lawrence was caught in possession by Alvaro Pereira, who then slid a delightful ball into the space left by a woefully out-of-position left back Ciaran Clark, allowing Hernandez to run into the space before coolly sliding the ball past Westwood.
The Republic were not disheartened and started the second half again on the front foot, the impressive Long bursting to the by-line and pulling back to the penalty spot where McCarthy and Keogh collided under pressure from Martin Caceres. The referee awarded a penalty and Fahey tucked away the spot-kick.
Unfortunately Ireland could not get the equaliser their second half efforts deserved. Andy Keogh – who put in a good shift on the left – came the closest, incredibly heading wide from a yard out after an error by Fernando Muslera in the Uruguayan goal.
Despite the defeat, Ireland can take plenty of positives and have two Carling Nations Cup fixtures to tune up for before the Euro qualifying trip to Macedonia, and the pivotal double header against Slovakia and Russia in September.
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