- Brendan Graham
- Sat, May 04 2019
Brendan Graham reporting from Tallaght Stadium
A controversial 94th-minute goal for Greece ensured the Republic of Ireland opened their European Championship campaign with draw in front of a healthy crowd of 4,295 at Tallaght Stadium.
Matthew Everitt had fired the home side into the lead 11 minutes into the second half but substitute Dimitris Arsenidis delivered a shock equaliser deep into injury time.
Colin O’Brien’s side made an encouraging start to the game right from the off with Everitt and Festy Ebosele lively down both wings and causing the Greek full backs plenty of problems.
Joseph Hodge and captain Seamas Keogh took command of the game early on from midfield as Ireland looked to create openings down the flanks.
The first chance of the game fell to Charlie McCann, who whistled his shot just inches over the crossbar having found himself on the end of an Everitt cross.
Derby County’s Ebosele was the best player on the pitch on the first half with Greece struggling to keep up with his quick feet and strength in holding the ball up as Ireland looked to counter attack.
Ireland continued to crank up the pressure on Greece with O’Brien’s side enjoying plenty of possession but not really troubling the goalkeeper.
Thomas Karamperis was doing well for Greece in the defensive midfield position and ensured chances from Hodge, Ebosele and McCann were from enough distance out to ensure Tzolakis had them well under control.
Ireland defender Sobowale had a huge chance to put the home side ahead after 20 minutes when he found himself unmarked at the back post.
The Manchester City defender got himself on the end of Ebosele’s free kick but he just couldn’t direct his header on target and out for a goal kick the ball went.
Greece had a strong spell of pressure themselves just before half time with striker Vasilis Grosdis attempting a strong volley from the edge of the box but the shot was always rising and cleared Bazunu’s crossbar.
It took just 11 minutes of the second half for Ireland to eventually find a breakthrough and it was well-deserved for their display to that point.
James Furlong’s corner deep into the box caused mayhem among the Greek defenders and with every player in the box either missing the ball or leaving it for a team-mate.
Midfielder Everitt was at the back post to poke the ball just over the line unmarked to spark wild celebrations among the crowd.
The intensity Ireland showed in the first half wasn’t as strong in the second, and especially after they found the breakthrough, but they did try their best to create chances when they got forward.
Man of the match Everitt showed great energy deep into the game to break quickly into the Greek box, but the final pass for Conor Carty let him down and the ball ran out for a goal kick.
With both sides emptying their bench in the final ten minutes, it was one of the men introduced by Greece, Dimitris Arsenidis that caused heartbreak for Ireland with the last kick of the game but sparked uncontrollable celebrations from the Greek bench with five seconds left in the match.
A half clearance by Ebosele led to the ball being played back into the path of Arsenidis, and the linesman appeared to raise the flag for offside.
The referee allowed play to continue and as Sean McEvoy did his best to clear the ball, Arsenidis slotted the ball under Bazunu ensuring the game would finish 1-1 and a ringing of boos from the home fans, who weren’t happy with the late decision.
Republic of Ireland: Gavin Bazunu; Sean McEvoy, Andrew Omobamidele, Oluwatimilehin Sobowale (Garcia MacNulty 66), Walter James Byrne Furlong; Festy Ebosele, Seamas Keogh, Joseph Hodge, Matthew Everitt (Sean Kennedy 89), Charlie McCann (Ronan McKinley 78); Conor Carty
Subs not used: Harry Halwax (gk), Roland Idowu, Brandon Holt, Josh Giurgi, Luke Turner.
Booked: Sean McEvoy (40), Oluwatimilehin Sobowale (54).
Greece: Kostas Tzolakis; Angelos Tsavos, Panagiotis Panagiotou (Kyriakos Aslanidis 83), Vasillis Pavlidis, Aventis Aventisian; Thomas Karamperis, Antonis Siatounis (Christos Liatsos 68), Vasilis Sourlis ( Christos Belevonis 85), Giannis Karakoutis; Vasilis Grosdis (Dimitris Arsenidis 85), Christos Tzolis
Subs not used: Konstantinos Balomenos (gk), Kostas Lazaridis, Nektarios Kotopoulos, Pavlos Grosdanis, Giorgos Manisoglou.
Booked: Thomas Karamperis (30), Kyriakos Aslanidis (90+1).
Referee: Jergen Burchardt (Denmark).
Attendance: 4,295 (official).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Mathew Everitt (Republic of Ireland).
