International Friendly Report: Republic of Ireland 0 - 1 Iceland

Iceland frustrated the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night as the visitors ground out a narrow 1-0 victory with the winner coming from a first-half Hordur Magnusson free kick.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’ Neill made nine changes to the side that drew with Wales on Friday night, handing debuts to four players against a resilient Icelandic side.

It was a night of experimentation for the hosts which saw Robbie Brady captain his side in the absence of the injured Seamus Coleman, while Conor Hourihane, John Egan, Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle wore the green jersey for the first time at senior level.

Ireland started the better of the two sides and Kevin Doyle tested Ogmudur Kristinsson early on but his cross was caught by the Icelandic goalkeeper to the disappointment of the incoming James McClean.

Danish referee Jakob Kehlet produced the first yellow card of the game to debutant Irish defender John Egan as Iceland hit Martin O’ Neill’s side on the break. The resulting free kick provided the only goal of the game as Iceland’s Hordur Magnusson curled the ball over the Irish wall from 20 yards and into the net as Westwood could only watch on.

Ireland upped the tempo after that and both McClean and Kevin Doyle were at the centre of the home team’s play but for no result. Captain Robbie Brady was also impressive but a robust Iceland held on to their narrow lead as half time approached.

In the 51^st minute James McClean looked to be fouled on the edge of the area but the referee gave a corner instead. A Brady cross was cleared by Iceland as Ireland began to pile on pressure onto the visitors.

Four minutes later Aron Einar Gunnarsson had Iceland’s first notable chance of the second half but his 25-yard shot went over the bar.

Martin O’ Neill made several changes after the hour mark which saw the introduction of former Dundalk players Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle.

With 17 minutes remaining former Dundalk winger Daryl Horgan made an immediate impact as his cross was pushed away by the Icelandic goalkeeper Kristinsson, resulting in substitute Callum O’ Dowda chasing down the loose ball.

Minutes later, O Dowda came close but his effort resulted in a corner after it was blocked down by Eyjolfsson as Iceland began to look good for their narrow lead.

Iceland held out for a slender but deserved victory in Dublin as Ireland offered very little in the final third.

With Ireland due to play Austria in at home June, an experimental Irish side gave supporters very little to be overly positive about. Iceland were strong in defensive but Martin O’ Neill’s side offered very little in attack despite many changes in the second half.

Republic of Ireland: Keiren Westwood; Cyrus Christie, John Egan (Andy Boyle 63), Alex Pearce, Robbie Brady; Aiden McGeady (Callum O’ Dowda 72), Conor Hourihane (Eunan O’ Kane 63), Jeff Hendrick (Stephen Glesson 63), Jonathan Hayes (Daryl Horgan 63); James McClean (Shane Long 72), Kevin Doyle.

Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Darren Randolph, Richard Keogh, Stephen Ward, David Meyler. 

Booked: John Egan (20)

Iceland: Ogmudur Kristinsson; Birkier Mar Saevarsson (Vidar Ari Jonsson 85), Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Ragnar Sigurdarsson (Holmar Eyjolfsson 52), Aron Sigurdarson (Elias Mar Omarsson 65); Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Olafur Ingi Skulason (Arnor Smarason 79), Aron Einar Gunnarsson, Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson; Rurik Gislason (Ari Freyr Skulason 88), Kjartan Henry Finnbogason (Ottar Magnus Karlsson 72).

Subs not used: Hannes Halldorsson, Ingvar Jonsson, Vidar Orn Kjartansson, Kari Arnason, Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson. 

Booked: Sverrir Ingi Ingason (66)

Referee: Jakob Kehlet (Denmark)

Attendance:

Extratime Man of the Match: