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20.11.2022 at 20:00 National Stadium, Ta'Quli, Malta
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Attendance: |
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Malta |
0 - 1
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Republic of Ireland |
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Referee: Chrysovalantis Theouli (CYP) |
Friendly-match |
Bonello,
Apap,
Pepe,
Borg,
Mbong,
Guiklkaumieer,
Kristensen,
Camenzuli,
Jones,
Satariano,
Teuma |
Caoimhin Kelleher
Nathan Collins
Seamus Coleman
Matt Doherty
John Egan
Alan Browne
Josh Cullen
Jamie Mc Grath
Chiedozie Ogbene
Callum Robinson
James Mc Clean
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The Republic of Ireland ended their International friendly series with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Malta in the National Stadium in Ta' Qali.
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20th Nov 2022
Callum Robinson’s goal was the decisive element of the game as he capitalised on a defensive error as Stephen Kenny’s side ended 2022 with a victory. There was another senior international debut for Mark Sykes who came on late in the second half for Ireland.
Stephen Kenny made five changes to the side that lost to Norway with Ogbene leading the line as well as McGrath, McClean and Kelleher coming in with Seamus Coleman captaining the side.
Callum Robinson was to have the first sight on goal when a cross from Matt Doherty found the Irish forward but his effort was deflected for a corner. Ireland continued to press with a free kick from Jamie McGrath nearly finding Josh Cullen at the back post.
Still, Bonello, the Maltese goalkeeper intercepted the set piece at the final moment. Jones had a chance to test Caoimhin Kelleher, but his effort was well saved. Jamie McGrath went close for Ireland just on the half-hour mark as he evaded the challenge of Guillaumier but his effort went wide of Bonello’s far post.
Alan Browne had the best chance of the first half as Matt Doherty’s short pass in the Maltese area found the Irish midfielders run but his effort went wide.
Ireland opened the scoring ten minutes into the second half when Guillaumier played a short back pass to his goalkeeper and Callum Robinson intercepted the pass and rounded Bonello to slot the ball home to score his eighth senior international goal.
Mbong had a half chance to level the tie as he received a second ball from a corner but his effort from the edge of the Irish area went well over Kelleher’s bar. With a free kick taken by Jamie McGrath, Alan Browne met it with a header, but Bonello saved it.
Pisani had the best chance for Malta to equalise but his effort forced a well-placed held by Kelleher at his near post. Callum O’Dowda almost added a second for Ireland when a ball over the top found the run of the Irish winger, his first-time effort struck the butt of the post that denied him his first senior Irish goal.
Evan Ferguson had an effort blocked down later on as he controlled an excellent cross from Sykes but it was blocked en route to the goal. With the 2022 international season now concluded, Ireland will focus on preparing for their first Euro 2024 qualifier against France next March.
Malta: Bonello (GK), J. Borg, Camenzuli, Apap (Shaw 73), Guillaumier ©, J. Mbong, Pepe, Satariano (Montebello 73), Teuma (Nwoko 88), Kristensen (D. Vella 20 mins) (S. Pisani 52), Jones (Gambin 67).
Subs: Al-Tumi (GK), Galea (GK), P. Mbong, Paiber, Corbolan, Degabriele, Dimech, Micallef, Overand.
Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (GK), Coleman ©, Doherty, Egan, Cullen, Robinson (Sykes 85), Browne (Hendrick 66), McClean (O’Dowda 66), Collins, McGrath, Ogbene (Ferguson 76).
Subs: Bazunu, Travers, O’Shea, Obafemi, Brady, Smallbone, Molumby, Scales, Lenihan.
Referee: Chrysovalantis Theouli (CYP)
Booked: Pepe (Malta), N. Collins (Republic of Ireland)
Sent off: None
Player of the Match: Jamie McGrath |
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