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When they come as late as that, it feels so much better.
Shane Long rescued an injury time equaliser for the Irish after they had huffed and puffed for the most part of the game looking for it. Because one mistake was all that had them behind. That’s ultimately what cost the Irish two extra points tonight. One mistake.
It wasn’t the best performance by any means but a spirited Republic had the crowd going in Dublin as they hammered at the Poland door trying to get something out of the tie and they deservedly got it.
Here’s how the players rated.
Shay Given 6
Could do nothing about the opener as it was planted into the side of his netting. Didn’t have much to deal with but showed good ball-playing skills that kept the side in possession a number of times.
Seamus Coleman 6
Obviously told not to be pinned back like the Scotland game and got forward as much as he could. Wasn’t getting at defenders like he can but left two Poles on their arses as he blazed down the flank in the second period to put one on Walters’ head. Sliced a big chance wide with eight minutes to go.
Marc Wilson 7
Crucial first half interception when John O’Shea was sold and Ireland looked stretched. Powered a header from a corner straight at the ‘keeper. Decent night.
John O’Shea 5
Looked a bit ropey early on, gave away a couple of frees, lost his man on a set piece and needed Wilson to rescue him once. But settled into it alright as the game went on. The best thing he did was throw his weight around in a late skirmish.
Robbie Brady 4
The nation clamoured for the best footballing option to play at left back but Brady was guilty of overplaying as he sold Wilson short in a tight area that led to the Polish opener. Whipped a teasing ball in that signalled intent right at the start of the second period. Set pieces weren’t on the money as you’d come to expect though. A poor cross did deflect off the post. The one corner he got right was in the 90th minute and created the equaliser. That’s nearly why you gamble on players like that.
Jon Walters 6
Even from the right wing, gave Ireland something to hit up top and showed good control to give the side a high line. Moved further forward in the second period and was always a threat in the air. Fantastic block to deny a Wes Hoolahan pass through to Brady.
Glen Whelan 5
Did his usual job sitting at central midfield but didn’t see a lot of possession. It’s for players like this you roll out words like ‘industrious’ when you’re writing for the local paper.
James McCarthy 6
Good early influence on the game that really told what we were missing in him but his influence waned and didn’t put his stamp on the game enough in first period. Controlled the play thereafter as Ireland completely dominated in second half.
Aiden McGeady 5
Superb touch and shimmy to sell two defenders in the box but his dinked effort just drifted wide of the post. Looked better on the right hand side, coming off the wing but never did much by way of creating chances and was replaced after 67 minutes.
Wes Hoolahan 7
Sent out the game’s first feeler after a dangerous, neat dribble and left-footed drive that flew past the post. Controlled the Irish from the off, picking up ball and spraying weighted passes. Split the defence delightfully to put Coleman through in the first half. Was the source of a lot of what was good for the Irish, always taking men on. Lost the ball once or twice but that’s what happens when players are trying to make things happen. Got the crucial touch that set up the goal inside the box.
Robbie Keane 5
Didn’t see any of the ball in the first period as Ireland were pinned back and playing longer. Came deeper in the second period and affected the game a bit more. Desperately unlucky with his header that hit the post with 19 minutes left.
Subs
James McClean 9
Rinsed the full back with his first real involvement and delivered the sweetest cross for Ireland’s best chance of the game but Keane’s header hit the post. Delivered on his promise and went straight through a Pole with his first opportunity and the Aviva rose to its feet. Got the crowd going with his introduction. Drilled another one into the six yard box and broke free again to set up Robbie Keane before Coleman squandered the chance. Did everything asked of him.
Shane Long 8
Given just eight minutes to do something and, by God, he did something. Kept his composure in injury time to slot beneath the ‘keeper’s legs and rescue a priceless point.
Jonas Eriksson 1
The referee had a stinker. The Aviva crowd was baying for blood as he looked trigger-happy in dishing out the cards to Ireland but held back on a lot of big calls Martin O’Neill’s side could’ve used. Every decision he gave for the Irish was met with a huge ironic cheer. Definitely a home-blower…
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