Ireland 1-0 Lithuania
Another international friendly for the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
Stephen Kenny’s side welcome Lithuania to Dublin, having drawn 2-2 with Belgium – the world’s top-ranked side – on Saturday.
The big question tonight is can Ireland live with the favourites tag, as they look to continue their positive run? They’re currently unbeaten in seven games.
Kick-off is 7.45pm, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Arena.
Here’s how Ireland line out, with Kenny ringing the changes.
STARTING XI | Ireland v Lithuania
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 29, 2022
Six changes from the 2-2 draw against Belgium as No.9 Will Keane is handed his first start for Ireland 👍
Five Cork-men in the starting XI as John Egan captains the side 🇮🇪#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #WeAre100 pic.twitter.com/zHf1lT1g0Z
Here’s the team-sheet, and an idea of how both sides will start is below.
Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Nathan Collins, John Egan (captain), Dara O’Shea; Matt Doherty; Conor Hourihane, Alan Browne; Ryan Manning; Callum Robinson, Chiedozie Ogbene; Will Keane.
Lithuania: Dziugas Bartkus; Egidijus Vaitkunas, Edegaras Utkus, Benas Satkus, Rolandas Baravyks; Justas Lascikas, Linas Klimavicius, Vykintas Slivka, Titas Milasius; Fedor Cernych (captain), Augustinas Klimavicius.
Jonathan Lardot of Belgium is the man in the middle.
The teams are on the pitch here at the Aviva Stadium; John Egan leading Ireland out.
‘Come on you Boys In Green’ breaks out immediately, as we await the pre-match formalities.
Kick-off: We’re underway; Lithuania kicking us off.
5 mins: A positive start here at the Aviva, with Ireland playing the ball around nicely. Lithuania look nervous early doors. Will Keane has just got a talking to, throwing his weight around up top and making his presence felt.
The fans like it, with cheers of ‘Keano, Keano’ ringing out. Ireland have had a few breaks up the left-hand side of the pitch, Callum Robinson winning a corner from the most recent.
10 mins: Ryan Manning takes a pop off the back of said corner. Lithuania clear it directly into his path, and he lets fly from well outside the box. It tails off to the right and wide.
Moments later, Ireland have the ball in the back of the net — and it is, of course, the man of the moment, Chiedozie Ogbene. But he’s deemed offside, after turning in an excellent delivery from Manning.
14 mins: Ireland are enjoying the lions’ share of possession here, as expected, getting their formations going and patient in their build-up. Caoimhín Kelleher has had very little to do, thus far, but has been commanding and assured whenever he’s needed.
The hosts are finding real joy down the left; with Ogbene winning a free-kick, which Conor Hourihane will look to swing in.
20 mins: He cuts it back to Manning instead, who lets fly again, but his effort tails similarly to the left and wide.
Ogbene’s pace and power is causing Lithuania problems, and he shows lovely footwork down the right to win a corner. Nothing comes off said set-piece, but Robinson has a go from way out shortly after. Still 0-0, with Ireland in complete control.
24 mins: Matt Doherty will be disappointed with himself for conceding a corner there. He tries to keep a wayward cross-field ball from going over the sideline, but instead knocks it out for a corner. Nothing comes off it, thankfully for Ireland, but Lithuania have come into the game a little more in recent minutes. Fedor Cernych, their number 10, is their main man.
30 mins: Ireland have gone a little sloppy and disjointed, getting swallowed up going forward. It’s happened Ogbene once or twice, but he always poses a threat on the ball — best seen when Lithuania opt to boot the ball out for a corner as they struggle to get to grips with him.
No success from that one, but they have another after — just about. Robinson is wrongly denied it at first, until the decision is overturned to jeers from the fans. Two come in quick succession from the right-hand side; one short, one hit in deep but no luck.
35 mins: Apologies for the, at times, sporadic updates. The Aviva Stadium wifi is not playing ball.
But Ireland certainly are again: they’re threatening time and time again. A goal before half time would have them in good stead.
42 mins: Ireland are enjoying so much of the ball, but struggling in the final third. Hourihane, who has been pulling the strings all night, plays Manning in with a lovely ball down the left; but his cross doesn’t exactly trouble the hosts.
Nor does his next. Rolandas Baravykas wins a corner at the other end, but Kelleher punches the subsequent delivery to safety.
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 0-0 LITHUANIA
The second half has begun…
49 mins: Good ball in by Doherty but Browne just can’t quite get to the ball ahead of the defender.
Moments later, Nathan Collins appears on the right-wing before getting tackled.
The Burnley defender certainly hasn’t been shy in getting forward.
54 mins: For the second time tonight, Ireland have the ball in the net, but it’s adjudged offside, though it’s probably the right call again.
Doherty’s low cross finds Hourihane, whose first-time strike finds the net.
However, both Will Keane and Callum Robinson were in an offside position and deemed to be blocking the view of the goalkeeper as he tried to make the save.
57 mins: Ireland go close again!
Doherty makes a positive run into the area, gets a fortunate ricochet before weaving away from a couple of defenders,
However, his low shot is saved, and Ogbene can’t find the target from the rebound.
63 mins: Ireland make a double change.
James McClean and Troy Parrott replace Will Keane and Dara O’Shea.
It seems as if the versatile Ryan Manning will now revert into the back three.
65 mins: Lithuania get a rare chance.
Utkus finds himself with plenty of space on the edge of the area but his shot is deflected wide.
Shortly thereafter, Robinson slips through Ogbene who goes down under a challenge claiming a penalty.
Judging by the one replay I saw, it would have been soft and also, the foul took place just outside the box.
69 mins: With Ireland on the attack, the play is frustratingly stopped.
A pitch invader has interrupted proceedings.
70 mins: Doherty beats his marker down the right.
However, there is no composure to the subsequent finish, as he blasts the ball well over.
73 mins: Incredible stuff!
Ireland have the ball in the net again and it’s offside.
Yet again though, it’s the correct decision.
Parrott’s pass finds McClean in an offside position — he crosses for Ogbene to finish, but it doesn’t count.
That sums up what has been a frustrating evening for the hosts so far.
Ireland make another change.
Callum Robinson is replaced by one of the squad’s more natural goalscorers in Scott Hogan.
82 mins: Ireland make two more changes.
Jason Knight and Jeff Hendrick replace Browne and Ogbene.
Lithuania also make a change, with Sirvys on for Lasickas.
Hendrick’s ambitious pass is just slightly too heavy for Hogan.
Good idea, but as with Ireland’s attacks in general tonight, the execution just wasn’t quite right.
87 mins: Parrott tries a shot from distance but it goes well wide.
Meanwhile, another Lithuania sub, as Cernych is replaced by Sirgedas.
89 mins: Knight puts in a dangerous cross from the right.
It finds the head of Egan, but the goalkeeper gets down well to make the save.
There will be five minutes of stoppage time…
Hourihane puts in what looks like an unthreatening free kick.
However, there is a nervy moment for the visitors, as the goalkeeper drops it before gathering at the second attempt.
Meanwhile, Nathan Collins has been named man of the match on his full debut.
93 mins: Doherty heads a cross down for Parrott, whose shot is tipped away by the goalkeeper for a corner.
From the ensuing set-piece, the goalkeeper parries it straight to Doherty, whose effort goes just over.
94 mins: Ireland have the ball in the net again, after Hogan latches on to Hendrick’s long ball and finishes well.
This time, though, it’s an obvious offside and the whistle is blown even before the ball is in the net.
IRELAND 1-0 LITHUANIA (PARROTT 97)
FULL-TIME: IRELAND 1-0 LITHUANIA
What a dramatic finish!
Lithuania won’t be happy with the amount of time added on, but Ireland won’t care.
Hourihane’s cross is half-cleared, it falls to Parrott on the edge of the area, and he strikes it very sweetly to find the back of the net.
The whistle sounds seconds later, with Parrott’s effort virtually the last kick of the game.
So that’s that.
What looked set to be remembered as a fairly dour evening was lit up by a last-gasp moment of inspiration.
In truth, it was probably just about deserved.
Ireland were somewhat unlucky, as they scored four offside goals, before finally registering a legitimate one.
However, the fact that they struggled to break down another of the so-called weaker nations will be a cause for concern for Kenny.
It was a performance that was sloppy and lacked urgency at times, with many of the peripheral figures who came into the side tonight struggling to make an impact.
Lithuania defended well for the most part though had no real interest in trying to play or get players forward, and in the end, this negative approach failed to pay off.
So, fifth time lucky for Ireland as Troy Parrott’s late, great goal ensured it finished 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium.
WOW 🔥🔥
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 29, 2022
🦜 #COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #WeAre100
pic.twitter.com/518dxgpyp7
Gavin Cooney’s intro says it best:
The Siege, ended by Troy.
Make sure you read the full match report here>
Thanks so much for joining us tonight, and for sticking with us — apologies for any technical difficulties. Stayed tuned on the site though, as we’ll have more reaction to follow.
Until next time!
