Moldova 1
Ireland 3
JOB DONE, BUT it was far from pretty as Ireland needed two second-half goals from James McClean to see off Moldova and keep their World Cup qualifying bid on track this evening.
Three points at the Zimbru Stadium means Martin O’Neill’s side are joint-top of Group D after three games but it ought to have been far easier on a night when Wes Hoolahan underlined his quality.
Shane Long’s first goal in 19 games for club and country gave Ireland the perfect start after just a minute and 56 seconds but they failed to capitalise, allowing the hosts — ranked 161st in the world — to work their way back into the contest.
And Ireland were punished right on the stroke of half-time as Shane Duffy was caught and Igor Bugayev pounced to level proceedings.
It was a sucker-punch for the Boys in Green but, to their credit, they responded and the pressure eventually told as McClean stroked the ball home on 69 minutes and then again on 76 to earn the points.
Tonight’s win, coupled with Wales drawing with Georgia, means Ireland go into November’s fixture against Austria level on points at the summit with Serbia.
Ireland broke the deadlock within two minutes as they immediately cut apart the home defence. McClean leapt inside from the left and brought a long ball down into Hoolahan’s path, allowing him to slip through Long for a simple finish into the far corner.
Encouraged by the ease of the opener, the visitors came forward again, with McClean shooting straight at goalkeeper Nicolae Calancea and bundling another effort wide.
Glenn Whelan then lashed past the near post, but Ireland’s momentum slowed as the game wore on and they were pegged back in first half stoppage-time.
Moldova captain Aleksandru Gatcan hopefully prodded forward, with Bugaev spinning onto the ball ahead of Shane Duffy and racing clear from the halfway line to tuck a shot low past Darren Randolph.
The home side quickly looked for a second after the restart, and Randolph did well to hold Alexandru Dedov’s swirling strike from wide on the left.
Jon Walters then worked room to cross for McClean, but the winger’s header was saved by Nicolae Calancea, and O’Neill was dealt a further blow as Long hobbled off.
However, a second Irish goal finally arrived on 69 minutes. James McCarthy thumped low into a crowded area, before Walters and McClean linked up again – the former controlling for the latter to sweep his finish into the net.
With Moldova now leaving gaps in search of another equaliser, a third goal followed with 14 minutes left on the clock. Coleman made progress on the right to lift a delivery to the rampant McClean, who was unmarked at the back post and able to steer past Calancea to clinch the points.
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