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06.09.2020 at 15:00 Aviva Stadium
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Attendance: |
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Republic of Ireland |
0 - 1
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Finland
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Referee: Fabio Maresca (ITL) |
Nations League / PROG-match |
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None. |
Fredrik Jensen 64 mins, |
Darren Randolph
John Egan
Shane Duffy
Matt Doherty
Enda Stevens
Callum O Dowda
Robert Brady
Harry Arter
Jayson Molumby
Aaron Connolly
Adam Idah
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Lukas Hradecky (GK),
Daniel O'Shaughnessy,
Juhani Ojala,
Leo Väisänen,
Glen Kamara,
Robert Taylor,
Teemu Pukki,
Tim Sparv (C),
Nikolai Alho,
Joel Pohjanpalo (Fredrik Jensen 63),
Nicholas Hämäläinen. |
Debut for Jason Molumby
Ireland dominated much of the game but were punished for a mistake at the back in the second-half as substitute Fredrik Jensen scored the only goal of the game.
Finland should have taken the lead in the first 10 minutes of the game as Teemu Pukki was found in space on the edge of the area but his effort was well saved by Darren Randolph.
Ireland had their first chance of the game just four minutes later as Callum O'Dowda's low cross was only half-cleared to Harry Arter and his 20-yard shot was well saved.
Ireland dominated possession in the first-half but couldn't muster many chances as John Egan's header was deflected over from a Robbie Brady free-kick in the 39th minute.
Ten minutes into the second-half, Ireland should have taken the lead. Finland lost the ball high up the pitch and Adam Idah found Aaron Connolly in the area but he could only hit the side netting.
O'Dowda curled an effort wide two minutes later before Finland took the lead. Jensen had just been substituted onto the pitch when Robert Taylor found him at the back-post with the perfect cross to give the away side the lead in the 64th minute.
Ireland responded really well and had a number of chances to level. Matt Doherty's cross not only missed substitute David McGoldrick but also Connolly at the back post who failed to convert.
Seconds later, Ireland won the ball high up the pitch again and saw McGoldrick have his effort deflected and saved.
The chances kept coming. In the 70th minute, Doherty found substitute Callum Robinson on the right side of the area but the keeper made himself big and made an impressive save to deny Ireland once again.
In the final five minutes, Ireland pinned Finland in their own penalty box and had a number of chances. First, Harry Arter's curling effort was deflected wide and from the resulting corner, Shane Duffy headed over the bar in the 88th minute.
It proved to be the final chance of the game for Ireland who suffer defeat in the UEFA Nations League.
Ireland: Darren Randolph (GK), Enda Stevens, Shane Duffy (C), John Egan, Matt Doherty, Robbie Brady, Callum O'Dowda (Callum Robinson 59), Aaron Connolly (James McClean 77), Adam Idah (David McGoldrick 66), Harry Arter, Jayson Molumby.
Finland: Lukas Hradecky (GK), Daniel O'Shaughnessy, Juhani Ojala, Leo Väisänen, Glen Kamara, Robert Taylor, Teemu Pukki, Tim Sparv (C), Nikolai Alho, Joel Pohjanpalo (Fredrik Jensen 63), Nicholas Hämäläinen.
Referee: Fabio Maresca (ITL) |
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