“I didn’t quite get that one.”
Liam Brady has questioned Stephen Kenny’s decision to substitute Michael Obafemi during the Republic of Ireland’s 2-1 loss to Scotland on Saturday night.
Ireland took the lead in the Uefa Nations League game. John Egan scored with a brilliant strike after 18 minutes and Kenny’s team were excellent in the first half at Hampden Park.
Scotland, however, took control of the match after the break. Jack Hendry equalised before Ryan Christie scored a penalty to give the hosts all three points.
Brady questions Kenny’s decision to substitute Obafemi.
In a match decided by fine margins, Kenny’s decision to take Obafemi off for Chiedozie Ogbene after 60 minutes was questionable.
The Swansea City striker was Ireland’s most dangerous player and the one reliving pressure on a team under pressure.
It is possible that Obafemi was tired, as he has not played a lot of first-team football this season. Yet, the decision appeared to hurt Ireland, as the team’s threat on the break reduced following his withdrawal.
“I don’t think it helped taking Obafemi off,” Brady said on RTÉ following the match.
“That was a strange call, for me, from Stephen Kenny. If I had one criticism of what went on tonight, it was him taking off Obafemi.
“He was causing Scotland all sorts of problems. It was him that showed tremendous pace to outstrip the Scottish defence when he laid the ball on for (Troy) Parrot.
“So, I didn’t quite get that one. I know he hasn’t been playing week-in-week-out…
“Unless it was a tiredness issue,” host Peter Collins said. “Yeah, but he didn’t look tired,” Brady responded.
“He was flying. He was causing Scotland all sorts of problems. I didn’t quite get that one. When he went off, it didn’t help us.”
Liam Brady says Ireland have to stop shooting themselves in the foot but that Stephen Kenny "is getting there with this team"#SCOIRL #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/1GmeiHNEiw
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 24, 2022
Ireland’s next match is at home to Armenia on Tuesday. Kenny’s team will be aiming to avoid relegation from their Nations League group.
Related links.
- James McClean’s battle with John McGinn worth the attendance fee alone.
- Swansea manager ‘disappointed’ with Stephen Kenny comments about Michael Obafemi.
- Ireland player ratings as Stephen Kenny’s team lose 2-1 to Scotland.
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