International Friendly: Republic of Ireland 3 - 2 Latvia

“You’ve very little to write about tonight!” was the common message conveyed by punters as they made way by the press box after another confusing night for Stephen Kenny’s Irish team.

His Republic of Ireland side returned to action for the first time in 2023 as they faced 133rd ranked side Latvia in a blustery and wet Aviva Stadium on Wednesday night.  

The main talking point pre-match was the inclusion from the start of 18-year-old Meath man Evan Ferguson for the first time. After scoring seven goals for Brighton this season against the likes of Arsenal and Everton, there was much hype about the former Bohemians centre forward.

There was also a debut among the starting XI for Stoke City loanee Will Smallbone. There was a welcome return to the side for Norwich City defender Andrew Omobamidele who made his return to the Ireland setup after missing every game in 2022 due to injuries. Newly declared Mikey Johnston had to make do with the substitute bench.

The opening exchanges began with Ireland having all the possession and were able to take advantage of this to make a fast start, taking the lead through Stephen Kenny’s big call during the week, Callum O’Dowda, who many believed was lucky to maintain his place ahead of Galwegian Ryan Manning.

After good play in central areas, the ball found its way out right to captain-on-the-night Matt Doherty who disguised his pass back to debutante Smallbone who played an excellent cross to wing back O’Dowda to nod in his first international goal.

The man everybody wanted to see, Evan Ferguson, was playing his way into the game nicely, linking up with the Irish midfield and his strike partner Michael Obafemi. Ferguson had a sighter in the 14^th minute but three minutes later the moment came.

A Doherty cross went deep and Obafemi managed to keep it alive putting it back across the box and Ferguson did what all good strikers do, right place, right time, to put away his opportunity to make it 2-0.

Latvia gave the Irish defence a warning shortly after Ferguson’s strike when a looped ball caught out the back three and Roberts Uldrikis and managed to find himself free in on goal but his attempt was off-target.

Smallbone was really grasping his opportunity on the night, with some lovely link-up play in the middle of the park, and some intelligent runs off the ball. After getting an assist, he looked to get his name too on the score sheet but his effort went wide. Browne and O’Dowda had further chances to add to Ireland’s lead but Pavels Šteinbors was equal to both efforts.

Out of nothing, Latvia scored the goal of the game to make it 2-1 when Uldrikis hit a drive from 25 yards out into the top corner to get his country back into the game. Stephen Kenny must have been wondering again as to why his side always seem to concede brilliant long-range strikes.

Despite Ireland winning plenty of corners, the game looked like it was petering out to half time only for Latvia to spring another shock. In additional time, Ireland failed to deal with a deep free-kick and Arturs Zjuzins on the edge of the Irish box hit a drive that made its way into the Irish net.

Ireland started the second half flatly, a couple of crosses by Doherty and Obafemi from the right hand side were the most the Irish team could muster but not troubling the Latvian defence.

A spark was needed from somewhere to lift the game and the crowd in the Aviva and Kenny turned to his bench as he introduced Egan, but most importantly Mikey Johnston, for his Irish debut, and Cheo Ogbene.

And less than two minutes later, Ireland regained the lead. The industrious Jayson Molumby won the ball back in the middle of the park which set away Johnston who weaved his way into the Latvian box. His effort unluckily hits the post but Ogbene was on hand to tap home his fourth international goal.

As the game progressed and further changes were made by both sides, the rhythm of the game began to falter, however in the final stages of the game, the bright spark was certainly Johnston who almost scored a fantastic individual solo goal but his effort was blocked.

Latvia looked to grasp a late goal like they did in the first-half to force a draw but the Irish rear-guard stayed firm and held out to secure an Irish victory.

The game was a typical Stephen Kenny Irish performance, good in parts, sloppy in other parts. Many leave the stadium still confused on whether we are progressing.

Games like this will not win over the sceptics, but the fans who are firmly behind Kenny will point to the success of the young players coming of age such while the addition of Smallbone and Ferguson tonight were excellent on their first starts in an Irish jersey. A totally different animal is next for Ireland as France come to the Aviva next week.

Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Nathan Collins, Andrew Omobamidele (John Egan 63), Dara O'Shea; Alan Browne, Matt Doherty (Chiedozie Ogbene 63), Jayson Molumby, Michael Obafemi (Michael Johnston 63), Callum O'Dowda (James McClean 77), Will Smallbone (Jeff Hendrick 82); Evan Ferguson (Troy Parrott 73).
Subs not used: Gavin Bazunu, Mark Travers, Jason Knight, Jamie McGrath, Joshua Cullen, Mark Sykes, Will Keane. 
Booked: None.  

Latvia: Pavels Steinbors; Daniels Balodis (Marcis Oss 46), Antonijs Cernomordijs, Roberts Savalnieks, Vladislavs Sorokins; Andrejs Ciganiks (Aleksejs Saveljevs 71), Janis Ikaunieks, Kristers Tobers, Arturs Zjuzins ; Vladislavs Gutkovskis (Raimonds Krollis 56), Robert Uldrikis.
Subs not used: Roberts Ozols, Kaspars Dubra, Emils Birka, Elvis Stuglis, Maksims Tonisevs, Alvis Jaunzems, Davis Ikaunieks, Renars Varslavans. 
Booked: None. 

Referee: Andrei Chivulete
Attendance: 41, 211
extratime.com Player of the Match: Will Smallbone (Republic of Ireland)

Draw for the semi-final stage of the Leinster Senior Cup was made last night - with @BrayWanderers facing @ushercelticfc.

Bohemians are set to face one of Shelbourne/Dundalk/Wexford away in their semi..

All dates are TBC (via @ExtratimeNews)https://t.co/6SNz6e4nQY

— Andrew Dempsey (@AndrewDempsey98) March 22, 2023