Derry’s Darron Gibson is to undergo a scan today after sustaining a serious injury in the Republic of Ireland’s 3-1 World Cup qualifier win over Kazakhstan at the Aviva Stadium this evening.
Darron Gibson.
The Everton midfielder was taken off on a stretcher with an ice pack on his right knee after being injured in a 50-50 challenge in the 34th minute.
It has been confirmed he has sustained a suspected knee ligament injury and will undergo a scan today to determine the extent of the problem.
Gibson was playing only his second game for the Republic after ending his self-imposed exile following the departure of Italian manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
Former Derry City goalkeeper David Forde retained his place in goals for tonight’s game but there was room for former Brandywell favourite James McClean who was, once again, kept on the substitutes’ bench by interim manager, Noel King.
The Republic fell behind to a Shomko strike in the 13th minute but goals from Robbie Keane (penalty) and John O’Shea in the 17th and 27th minutes respectively gave the home side a 2-1 half time lead.
The game was ended as a contest in the 78th minute when Finochenko put through his own goal.
Northern Ireland’s poor showing in the qualifying stages ended with a 1-1 draw with Israel, Steve Davis’s fifth international goal in the 72nd minute cancelling out Basat’s 43rd minute opener for the home side.
The result left left Michael O’Neill’s with seven points, second from bottom in Group F and a point ahead of Luxembourg.
England secured their passage to the finals in Brazil next summer with a 2-0 win over Poland at Wembley, the goals coming from Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
Scotland ended their disappointing campaign with a 2-0 win over Croatia in Group A while Wales drew 1-1 with Belgium in the same group.
European qualifiers for the finals in Brazil are – England, Belgium, Russia, Germany, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Bosnia and defending champions Spain.
Countries who will compete in the European play-offs after finishing runners-up in their respective groups are – Seeded: Croatia, Portugal, Greece and Sweden; Non-seeded: France, Ukraine, Romania and Iceland.
The draw will take place on Monday next.
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