Football Orphan: From Russia with love.
Ireland took a massive three points towards qualifying for Euro 2012 last night with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Macedonia. The result at the Aviva Stadium puts Ireland level on top of group B with Russia and Slovakia.
Leaders Russia had earlier been held to a scoreless draw by Armenia, while Slovakia had narrowly beaten Andorra.
A goal in the second minute from Aiden McGeady set Ireland on their way. Soon after Robbie Keane added a second after another bad goalkeeping mistake from Macedonia. At times Ireland looked like world beaters knocking the ball around with ease and were in total control. Maybe this was what Trapattoni was trying to show us all along…..that was until normal service was resumed when just before half time Macedonia equalized.
This instantly brought back memories of the two qualifying games with Israel a few years back, when we shamefully surrendered a two goal lead twice under Brian Kerr. It wasn’t to be this time as Ireland dug deep. It didn’t have to be pretty, but at times Ireland’s wide men Duff and McGeady looked like they had enough fight to go another ninety minutes.
I believe three things were learned last night amid the battle of the Aviva. The first is that we have some fine talent coming through the ranks. The inexperienced players did a sterling job. The second is that regardless of the current climate of the club football of our senior players, they never shirked responsibility. Each one stood up to be counted. Lastly and most importantly, in my opinion Ireland have always had a world-class player on their hands. Last night he came of age. It looks like the move from Glasgow Celtic to Spartak Moscow has really agreed with Aiden McGeady. I just wish he’d have gone to Russia a little earlier!
Football Orphan 