Ireland Ratings: Szmodics, Ferguson Shine, Kelleher Saves

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Post on Nov 15, 2024

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Ireland Ratings: Szmodics, Ferguson Shine, Kelleher Saves

The Republic of Ireland secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Latvia in their Euro 2024 qualifier, with two goals in quick succession from the impressive Will Smallbone and substitute, the on-fire, Callum Robinson. While the performance was far from perfect, there were individual highlights that shone through. Let's delve into the player ratings:

Goalkeeper:

Caoimhin Kelleher (8/10): The Liverpool man was in top form, making several crucial saves, including a brilliant stop from a close-range header. Kelleher was confident and commanding throughout the match, giving his defense a much-needed boost.

Defense:

Matt Doherty (7/10): Back in the starting lineup, Doherty was solid on the right flank, showing good defensive awareness and providing some decent attacking threat. He seemed to be getting back to his best, especially in the second half.

John Egan (7/10): The Sheffield United center-back continued his strong run of form, winning most of his aerial duels and clearing any danger that came his way. He was the anchor of the Irish defense, providing calmness and leadership.

Nathan Collins (6.5/10): The Wolves defender looked shaky at times, particularly in the first half, making a couple of crucial errors. However, he managed to recover and regain his composure as the game went on, playing a crucial role in the clean sheet.

Ryan Manning (6/10): The Swansea left-back was solid defensively, but failed to make much of an impact in the attacking third. He needs to be more adventurous going forward to make the most of his attacking potential.

Midfield:

Alan Browne (6.5/10): The Preston North End captain had a decent game in midfield, showing his usual hard work and commitment. He offered good cover for the defense and contributed to the build-up play.

Jayson Molumby (6/10): The West Brom midfielder struggled to find his rhythm in the game. He didn't control the tempo as well as he can and was guilty of a few misplaced passes.

Will Smallbone (8/10): The young midfielder put in an exceptional performance, scoring a brilliant opening goal with a well-taken strike from outside the box. Smallbone was lively and creative throughout the match, dictating the game's pace and creating several chances for his teammates.

Attack:

Chiedozie Ogbene (6/10): The Rotherham United winger was lively and energetic but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. He was unable to get the better of his Latvian marker and missed a good opportunity to score early in the second half.

Adam Idah (6/10): The Norwich City striker worked tirelessly but struggled to make a real impact on the game. He lacked the composure and clinical edge in the final third to make the most of the chances that came his way.

Substitutes:

Callum Robinson (8/10): The West Brom striker made an immediate impact coming off the bench, scoring the second goal with a brilliant finish and providing a much-needed spark to the Irish attack.

Michael Obafemi (6.5/10): The Swansea forward added fresh legs to the attack, showing good movement and creating a few chances. He also provided good support for Robinson.

Overall:

Ireland's performance was far from flawless, but they managed to grind out a crucial victory against a well-organized Latvian side. The introduction of Robinson proved to be a masterstroke, and the solid defensive performance, anchored by Kelleher's brilliance, ensured the clean sheet. The performances of Szmodics and Ferguson provided a much-needed boost, giving the Irish manager some encouraging options going forward. This win keeps Ireland in the hunt for a place in the Euro 2024 finals, and with crucial games coming up, the team will need to build on this positive result and continue to improve.