A 69 minute goal from Jonathan Walters gives the Republic a 1-0 win over Georgia
REPUBLIC of Ireland kept their Euro 2016 automatic qualification hopes alive as Jonathan Walters’ second-half strike helped them to a laboured 1-0 victory at home to Georgia tonight.
The home side put in a sluggish first-half display in what was billed as a must-win European Qualifier at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, and Martin O’Neill reacted by sending on Shane Long in place of the ineffective Robbie Keane after the interval.
The move certainly changed Republic of Ireland’s fortunes and they finally broke the deadlock in the 69th minute after Walters bundled the ball home at the near post after excellent work from Jeff Hendrick.
Ireland had Glenn Whelan and James McClean booked late on and both will miss the clash with Germany next month.
However, O’Neill will be delighted as his side held on for a crucial three points to move four points clear of Scotland – who lost 3-2 to Germany – in third and keep pace in the race for the top two spots in Group D.
Before the match, both manager O’Neill and captain Keane stressed the importance of the clash with Georgia, claiming it as a must-win game.
With fixtures against Germany and Poland to come, the pressure was on Ireland – who brought in Seamus Coleman for Cyrus Christie – and it showed.
Georgia were the team who looked more at home as Levan Mchedlidze burst into the penalty area in the 11th minute, but his weak right-footed shot failed to trouble Shay Given.
O’Neill’s side were struggling to find any rhythm and it seemed to be making the crowd anxious, with Georgia comfortable in possession of the ball.
It took until the 30th minute for Ireland to look threatening as Hendrick clipped a lovely ball in behind the Georgia defence, but Keane failed to latch onto the pass.
Minutes later, the home side had their first real effort on goal as Coleman hit the target from the edge of the penalty area, forcing goalkeeper Nukri Revishvili into a smart save.
O’Neill was not happy with what he saw during the first 45 minutes and reacted by hauling off captain Keane at the interval and replacing him with Long.
The move had the desired effect for the hosts as they moved forward with more pace, creating openings for both Coleman and Whelan.
Next it was Robbie Brady threatening the vistors’ defence, standing up a cross at the far post which just eluded a determined looking Walters.
Minutes later, Hendricks tested Revishvilli from distance and the goalkeeper was up to the task, parrying the ball away to safety.
The momentum was certainly building for Ireland and they finally broke the deadlock with 21 minutes remaining as Hendrick turned provider in superb style with 21 minutes remaining when he slipped between three red shirts before crossing for Walters to fire home at the near post.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, substitute Long might have made it 2-0 after substitute McClean had run on to Whelan’s pass and drilled the ball across goal, but the Southampton striker failed to connect with his attempted shot.
McClean, who will miss his side’s next fixture alongside Whelan through suspension, forced another excellent save from Revishvili with a rasping injury-time strike, but the points were already secure.
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