Ireland 2-3 Uruguay
A much changed Ireland side fell to a single goal defeat to Uruguay in an entertaining encounter in front of a pitiful crowd at the Aviva Stadium this evening.
Giovanni Trapattoni employed a 4-5-1 formation with eight changes to the side that defeated Macedonia at the weekend and a number of players did their future international prospects no harm with encouraging performances.
Top of that list was Reading striker Shane Long, who scored Ireland’s first goal with a cracking header and proved a thorn in the Uruguayan defence all night. Kieren Westwood and Keith Fahey also impressed against opponents who showed glimpses of the quality that led them to the World Cup semi-finals last summer.
Ireland started the game in promising fashion, but it was Uruguay who took the lead through Diego Lagano in the 12th minute after some poor Irish defending, which unfortunately was to be a recurring theme throughout the evening.
A free-kick from Diego Forlan wasn’t dealt with by the Irish defence and the ball fell kindly to the unmarked Lagano, who finished with ease from close range.
Ireland responded impressively only three minutes later. Paul Green fed Liam Lawrence on the right wing and his inch-perfect left-footed delivery was headed home in confident fashion by Shane Long.
Open
In contrast to many Ireland games these days, the game was a surprisingly open affair with plenty of chances for both sides. It was Uruguay who struck next in the 22nd minute and if the first goal owed a lot to poor defending, this effort was drenched in quality.
Maxi Pereira was allowed to wander across the Irish defence far too easily, but he showed no little skill in working the ball through to Edinson Cavani, who sent a thumping effort across Westwood and into the bottom corner.
The goal seemed to knock the wind out of Ireland somewhat and it was hardly a surprise when Uruguay increased their lead five minutes before half-time.
Liam Lawrence hesitated on the ball in the middle of the park, and dangerous frontman Abel Hernandez was released on goal with only Westwood to beat. Darren O’Dea’s positioning was highly suspect and Hernandez stroked the ball past Westwood with his left foot.
Ireland got themselves back in the game three minutes after the break after James McCarthy was upended by Jose Caceres in the penalty area. Keith Fahey tucked home the resultant spot kick and Ireland were back in the game.
Despite a raft of substitutions on both sides, the game continued to be extremely open in the second period and Ireland had plenty of chances to level it before the finish.
Andy Keogh, who endured a disappointing night throughout, had the best opportunity to net a third goal for Ireland, but somehow conspired to miss the target from a yard out after substitute Keith Treacy’s free-kick flew across goal.
Reflection
Uruguay managed to hold out until the finish and although the result didn’t go Ireland’s way, it would have been the performance that would have most occupied the thoughts of Giovanni Trapattoni.
In that regard, the display of Long in particular and glimpses of potential from the likes of McCarthy, Clark and Fahey will have pleased the Italian. On the other hand, the defence looked extremely porous at times, something that will be a cause for concern ahead of the clash with Macedonia in Skopje in June.
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