19.45 14 Oct 2014 - Stadion Gelsenkirchen, Gelsenkirchen (GER)
Referee:
Ireland capture point in Germany with late late goal
- John O'Shea
- Tue, Oct 14 2014
Ireland came away from Germany with what could be a very precious point come the end of the Euro 2016 qualification stages, when John O’Shea’s goal right at the end ensured that the Irish eyes were smiling after what was a fantastic result in Gelsenkirchen.
It was tough going at times, but it was a spirited and hardworking performance from Ireland that ensured what was deserved point.
O’Shea was handed his 100th cap on the night for Ireland and he could not have marked the occasion in a better way. The result means that Ireland remain three points ahead of Germany in the group and only goal difference separates them from leaders Poland in the group.
At the Stadion Gelsenkirchen, home to FC Schalke 04, this was a game which was eagerly anticipated by both sides. Ireland were in a confident frame of mind following their 7-0 win over Gibraltar on Saturday.
While Germany came into the game following their 2-0 defeat to Poland in Warsaw at the weekend and they were keen to recover quickly against Martin O’Neil’s side.
O’Neil made three changes from the Gibraltar game, with Jonathan Walters, Stephen Quinn and Glenn Whelan coming in for Jeff Hendrick, Darron Gibson and Wes Hoolahan.
For Germany, Christophe Kramer and Andre Schuerrle were ruled out because of illness, while Schalke’s Julien Draxler started in a ground which is very familiar to him indeed.
The first decent chance arrived after 4 minutes. Erik Durn stuck the ball, as it came straight at him first time, brilliantly from 40 yards out, but only the crossbar prevented him from giving Germany the lead.
As the early stages of the game devolved, it was Germany who started to control the majority of possession with some wonderful passing. The closest the came to going in front was through a missed header from Rudiger and a shot off target from Kroos.
Ireland struggled to hold onto the ball for a long period of time and they needed to show the utmost in concentration and discipline to keep the Germans out.
McClean and McGeady showed signs of promise going forward, but overall the Boys in Green did nothing to really test Neuer.
Just before half time, Draxler went close when he had a shot saved by Forde. But Ireland went in at the break knowing that they were half way there from getting the result they would have been satisfied with.
Ireland looking confident as the 2nd half started, as Mc Clean’s cross was testing Neuer with Robbie Keane lurking.
Germany went for an attacking line up after the break, with the change of Podolski coming on for Ginter showing manager Jogi Loew’s intentions. Ireland were on edge as Germany were probing for an opening goal. On the hour mark, Kroos went close with a long range shot that was turned over the bar by Forde.
There was a sigh of relief from the Irish as Podolski went tumbling down in the box, but the referee awarded a free out.
Germany’s pressure finally told and they took the lead with 19 minutes to go. Kroos’s finish from 25 yards went in off the post, when he was given the time and space to shoot as Quinn retreated back towards his own box.
Gotze went close to doubling Germany’s lead, but his shot was saved by Forde. Ireland showed no major threat of getting a leveler, however in the 84th minute Hoolahan went very close when he got on the end of Mc Clean’s cross, with only Durm’s block preventing Ireland from making it 1-1.
However, just as though Ireland’s chance came and went, Ireland got the equalizer with the very last kick of the game. Hoolahan’s cross to the far post was volleyed by Hendrick into the center of the box, where John O’Shea was on hand to slot the ball into the back of the net.
Next up for Ireland is a game away to Scotland in November, a clash which could prove vital in determining who could finish in 2nd spot and the final automatic qualification spot from the Group for Euro 2016.
Germany: Manuel Neuer ; Antonio Rudiger , Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Erik Durm; Matthias Ginter( Lukas Podolski , HT ), Toni Kroos; Karim Bellarabi(Sebastian Rudy, 86 ), Mario Gotze Julien Draxler (Max Kruse, 69 ); Thomas Muller.
Subs not used: Rob-Robert Zieler, Roman Weidenfeller, Shkodran Mustafi,
Bookings: None
Ireland: David Forde; David Meyler, John O’Shea, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ward; Aiden Mc Geady, Stephen Quinn ( Wes Hoolahan, 76 ) , Glenn Whelan(Jeff Hendrick 50 ), James Mc Clean, Jonathan Walters, Robbie Keane (Darron Gibson , 62 ) .
Subs not used: Rob Eliot (gk) , Keiren Westwood (gk) , Ciaran Clark, Alex Pearce, , Anthony Pilkington, , Anthony Stokes, Shane Long , Kevin Doyle .
Bookings: Glenn Whelan (40), Marc Wilson ( 67 ).
Referee: Dimar Skomina (Slovakia)
Attendance: 51,204
About John O'Shea
John is a Cork based reporter, mainly covering Cork City and Cobh Ramblers. John also reports regularly on Munster Senior League and Cork Youths League football for the Evening Echo. John has also freelanced for …
Subs
Subs
P | Team | Pd | W | D | L | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Germany | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 22 |
2 | Poland | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 21 |
3 | Rep. Of Ireland | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 18 |
4 | Scotland | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
5 | Georgia | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 9 |
6 | Gibraltar | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
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