Fahey solves ROI's frustration

Birmingham man provides pick-me-up for Trapattoni

Last updated: 4th September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Armenia v Republic of Ireland Giovanni Trapattoni

Trapattoni: Saw his team produce a nervy performance

Armenia v Republic of Ireland Keith Fahey celeb

Fahey: Celebrates his first international goal

Armenia v Republic of Ireland Robbie Keane

Keane: Blushes were saved after misses
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Keith Fahey's first competitive international goal solved Republic of Ireland's frustration by securing a 1-0 win in Armenia in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier.

Manager Giovanni Trapattoni was back in charge of the Republic after missing August's friendly defeat to Argentina having undergone abdominal surgery, but it looked like his return was to end in irritation.

The Italian saw his nervous side scrap against Group B underdogs Armenia at Yerevan Republican Stadium and when captain Robbie Keane hit an easy chance against a post in the second half the match appeared destined for a stalemate.

But in the 76th minute Birmingham midfielder Fahey, who had entered the match as a 68th minute substitute, struck a close-range winner after a scramble in the six-yard box.

The win sends Ireland into Tuesday's home clash with minnows Andorra knowing a perfect start would set them up very nicely for what lies ahead.

Manager Trapattoni admitted at his pre-match press conference in Yerevan that he would happily settle for a 1-0 win from what he promised would be a tricky fixture.

Agonising

Armenia, who have beaten both Poland and Belgium in their capital city in recent years, were far from over-awed by the task with which they were presented, and with the impressive Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Shakhtar Donetsk's recent £5.8million acquisition, pulling the strings behind lone striker Yura Movsisyan, they made life intensely difficult for the visitors.

Mkhitaryan treated Derby midfielder Paul Green to a torrid welcome to competitive international football, while wide-men Edgar Malakyan and Levon Pachajyan kept full-backs John O'Shea and Kevin Kilbane on their toes throughout the opening 45 minutes.

For all that, the Republic could have gone in at the break comfortably in front.

Keane might have put them ahead within eight minutes, but volleyed agonisingly wide from Kevin Doyle's flick-on with just goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky to beat, and he thought he had done so 10 minutes before the break when he shot home from Glenn Whelan's free-kick, only for an offside flag to ruin his celebrations.

However, perhaps the best chance fell to central defender Sean St Ledger, whose powerful 22nd minute header from an Aiden McGeady corner was palmed away by Berezovsky.

Shay Given had to save from Karlen Mkrtchyan and Pachajyan in quick succession, and he was grateful to see Movsisyan volley over 14 minutes before the break.

Battle

Trapattoni sent his side back into battle knowing they were in a game, and they were almost caught out within five minutes when Movsisyan combined well with full-back Artak Erdigaryan, but then over-hit his through-ball to the supporting Mkhitaryan.

Mkhitaryan forced another save from Given and Mkrtchyan hooked just wide with Armenia sensing a genuine opportunity, and there was an anxious moment for the Ireland goalkeeper when defender Richard Dunne's headed clearance looped just over his own crossbar

But as the home side forged forward in search of the opening goal, they left space at the back and Doyle almost exploited that 19 minutes from time with a powerful drive which Berezovsky had to palm away.

In the meantime, Trapattoni had replaced McGeady with Fahey, and it was he who finally put the visitors in front with 14 minutes remaining.

Armenia could not clear their lines as Keane and then Doyle made nuisances of themselves, and when the ball broke to the Birmingham midfielder, he smashed it past Berezovsky to snatch victory.

In a tense finish to the game, the home side penned Ireland back inside their own half, but stout defence won the day as Trapattoni's men once again ensured that one goal was enough.

ArmeniaTeam StatisticsRepublic of Ireland
0Goals1
01st Half Goals0
7Shots on Target4
8Shots off Target5
8Blocked Shots2
9Corners6
16Fouls16
0Offsides3
1Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
71.2Passing Success71.8
17Tackles18
94.1Tackles Success88.9
48.7Possession51.3
47.1Territorial Advantage52.9
EC Group B Win Outright: Rep Ireland 3/1

Comments (21)

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P O''neill (Celtic fan) says...

On todays performance you can surely see there are better things ahead. We are very difficult to beat and seemed to have more of a hunger to play in their third of the pitch to go after the win. We''ve some smashing players who would in no doubt get into englands great side!! Given, Dunne, Duff, Keane, Doyle and McGeady would in no way look out of place

Posted 05:59 4th September 2010

Niall K (Arsenal fan) says...

lets be honest!! it wasn''t a pretty performance; nonetheless it never is but we still win games!! it is just GT''s safe italian tatics, however we won move on to the next game!! Ireland did the exact same in the world cup qualifiers (which are tougher to qualify through) and played football when it really mattered against the italians and the french!!!!!

Posted 02:12 4th September 2010

Lou F (Manchester City fan) says...

Three points away from home is all I care bout! Thank god we got that goal.. I was dreading a 0-0 before the match started, was always goin to be a very proboble result specially with Trap in charge.. Great start to the campaign tho.

Posted 02:04 4th September 2010

Martin Malone (Liverpool fan) says...

Professional Job, if unspectacular. Exactly what we deserve. Armenia had a lot of shots, but from 40 yards. They are not very good. It going to narrow games right through as we lack attacking quality. Wont concede much though.

Posted 01:15 4th September 2010

John Bodie (Liverpool fan) says...

haha this is a joke of a thread, the boys went out today in a difficult place to go to an gave a great account of them selves and got the win. Only for keano lacked the bitta match fitness/sharpness we didn''t beat them by 2 or 3 simple as, they never really looked like scoring at any point dunne was outstanding St.Ledger wasn''t bad either Kilbane got roasted at times but we''ve the lad cunningham to come in there dont forget, all looks good for ireland roll on the euro''s were gonna be there! C''MON YBIG

Posted 23:34 3rd September 2010

Kevin Bradshaw (Arsenal fan) says...

David K, you are totally missing the point about Keane, the reason he looked so ordinary tonight is because he is not in the spurs first team and getting regular football. Im no Keane apologist, but in fairness he is probably, Given aside, the closest thing we have to world class. I dread to think what will happen when he retires. I read a statistic the other day that says he is one of the top ten most prolific strikers in world football at international level in the game today. So, no, it is not time to put him out to pasture. He looked rusty tonight and he is an irratating git, but his heart is in the right place and he and Doyle make a handful of a partnership.

Posted 21:51 3rd September 2010

Peter Behan (Liverpool fan) says...

Well done Ireland scrape past a team that hadn''t kept a clean sheet for the last three years. A win is a win but wake up lads cause we want and deserve a better performance next week unlike tonight. Well done to St Ledger good performance and Fahey you took your goal well.

Posted 20:42 3rd September 2010

D Costello (Celtic fan) says...

We looked nothing like wasters. Armenia''s a difficult place to go Spain only won 2-1, portugal with Ronaldo and their stars only drew and belgium, a constant presence at major tournaments lost. It was a brilliant performance and Kevin Doyle as usual was brilliant, most under rated player in the Premiership. As usual the british press make the irish performance out to be worse than it is but no doubt if England beat Bulgaria tonight everyone will be saying England to win the Euros and then we can all watch as you fall flat on your face on the world stage while your so called fans boo off the players after a 0-0 draw

Posted 20:11 3rd September 2010

Kevin Cronogue says...

Yes the game was apalling, I''m not going to ramble on about how bad the game was, fair play to Ireland they bagged the winner thats good enough for me, I''m not a footballer so I have no place to criticise, but I am a Republic of Ireland supporter, so great well done.

Posted 19:46 3rd September 2010

David K (Manchester United fan) says...

Poor poor display. Robbie Keane should not be on the team, i can now see why he can`t get on the spurs team. St Ledger had a disaster of a game. But thank god for Keith Fahey. We have our work cut out if we are to qualify for Euro 2012!!!

Posted 19:36 3rd September 2010

Brian Lynch (Leeds United fan) says...

what was the final score........oh 1-0, come on you boys

Posted 19:34 3rd September 2010

Kj Corcy (East Stirlingshire fan) says...

We are Ireland, not Brazil and so we should always be happy and proud with any victory. Our players have such a great mentality which really is something to be proud of. In terms of ability I thought Armenia were quite good but there lack of belief compared to us was decisive. The style of football that Trappatoni is playing is more suited to when we are the underdog and is not as effective when we are favourites like today. As far as Leighton B''s comments are concerned, well I think he needs a reality check. He''s been watching Manchester United and seems to expect a performance in line with those he gets spoilt with at OT.

Posted 19:25 3rd September 2010

Brian Meskell (Manchester United fan) says...

Any win away from home in the qualifiers is always a good result for any team!

Posted 19:12 3rd September 2010

Brendan L (Aston Villa fan) says...

Get out of it Leighton Baines... how can you complain about a win away from home. All the signs are positive after the game. Keane clearly had an off day in front of goal. In the past, we''ve relied on him solely to come up with the goal so to have someone come off the bench to get the winner was a welcome change. Many top teams have struggled to get results against Armenia away from home in recent times. (Most notably: Portugal drew, Belgium lost. Spain only bet them 2-1 in the WC qualifiers) Nothing wrong with defending your lead with 10 minutes to go, the heat was unreal aswell which wouldn''t have helped. Trapatoni said he''d take a 1-0 win before kick off... job done. We''re well on course to take 6pts from 6 now, doesnt matter if it is expected. It''s pressure games like this that we would have drawn in previous campaigns which ultimately cost us automatic qualification. We may not have the best squad but this is the most confidence i''ve had in an Irish team since the McCarthy era...

Posted 19:11 3rd September 2010

Brainy Busy (Manchester United fan) says...

John O'' Shea did so well today........... i am impressed with his performance.

Posted 19:02 3rd September 2010

Peter Kane (Manchester United fan) says...

not a great perfomance . but hey ho 3 points that will do.

Posted 19:01 3rd September 2010

Patrick Conboy (Manchester United fan) says...

Leighton B isn''t looking at the full picture here. Playing Armenia on their turf is a tough proposition - teams like Spain and Portugal have gone there in recent times and have endured similar experiences. Taking that into consideration, I''m happy with today''s performance from Ireland. The team is playing well as a unit and, importantly, there''s confidence in the side. Looking forward to the rest of the campaign now...

Posted 18:49 3rd September 2010

Liam F (Liverpool fan) says...

I thought it was an impressive display from Ireland, we could have had a couple of goals in either half and Armenia never seriously threatened Shay Given in goals, impressive defensive display and i think Ireland will only get better, Trappatoni still unbeaten in competitive qualifiers.

Posted 18:49 3rd September 2010

Rob G (Liverpool fan) says...

I have to disagree with you on that one. At the end of the day, the Irish team are average. To go to a place like Armenia, in 30+ heat, and get a solid 1-0 win against a team who''ve drew with Wales and Northern Ireland and who have beaten Belgium is a good result. Sure it wasn''t pretty, but 3 points are 3 points at the end of the day. Robbie Keane has carried the burden for the Irish team for too long now and we must now look to the likes of Fahey and mcGeedy to take control. Come on you boys in green, 2012 here we come!

Posted 18:38 3rd September 2010

Stuart Comerford (Chelsea fan) says...

A very unconvincing win, but we''ll take it.. It''s still early in the season, a lot of players looked pretty rusty, with little or no service to the front men. Should of had a penalty when Keane was brought down. Hopefully Gio will realise soon that McGeady brings nothing to the Irish team & will start playing Hunt instead. All in all, more to come from the boys in green.. St Ledger & Lawrence were solid. I think we can qualify for the championships.

Posted 18:32 3rd September 2010
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