Netherlands 1-0 Ireland
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
With Slovakia’s win over Iceland officially ending Ireland’s hopes of Euros qualification, there is nothing but pride to play for tonight as far as the visitors are concerned.
It is also likely to be manager Stephen Kenny’s final competitive match in charge, so the Dubliner will be determined that his side finish on a high.
Meanwhile, a win tonight will secure the Netherlands’ qualification — they are currently level of points with Greece though have a game in hand on Gus Poyet’s side.
The Dutch have not been especially convincing in this group — they opened the campaign with a 4-0 loss to France and were given a tough game amid a 2-1 victory in Dublin last September — so while the hosts will be strong favourites, a positive result is not inconceivable, particularly with Ronald Koeman’s side missing a couple of important players.
Confirmation of Ireland’s team tonight, which looks like a 5-3-2 formation…
STARTING XI | Netherlands v Ireland
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 18, 2023
Evan Ferguson starts in Amsterdam alongside Callum Robinson as Dara O'Shea returns to the starting XI 💚
7.45pm KO (8.45pm local time) with a huge travelling support here in Amsterdam 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/Ot68W4Z3qY
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Confirmation of the Dutch team…
Make it happen! 🌟#NothingLikeOranje #NEDIRL pic.twitter.com/CBiKUrM2Jx
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 18, 2023
Stephen Kenny shares his thoughts ahead of the game…
🗣️ "That’s the intention tonight, the players want to go and put in a strong performance to try & get the victory…”
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 18, 2023
Ireland manager Stephen Kenny gives his thoughts ahead of kick-off in Amsterdam 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/6VYwDhoRa9
We’re underway…
The Dutch show their intent to press intensively early on.
Ireland try to play it across the back but Bazunu eventually resorts to kicking it long.
Doherty wins the ball deep in Dutch territory.
Robinson then slips it to Browne, whose doesn’t quite get hold of it and his snapshot is comfortably saved by Verbruggen.
Down the other end, Browne loses it in a dangerous area, but Simons can’t hit the target with a shot from distance under pressure from Collins.
NETHERLANDS 1-0 IRELAND (WEGHORST 12)
Netherlands score from their first real chance.
Weghorst does well to escape from Collins, run through on goal and fire a fine finish past Bazunu for his eighth goal in 28 international appearances.
It was clinical from the Dutch but very disappointing from an Irish viewpoint — it was far too easy for the former Man United player to run through on goal in acres of space.
It’s just a bit too easy for the Dutch at the moment.
Ireland have had a bit of possession since the goal but have been pretty wasteful.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
1-0
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 18, 2023
Wout Weghorst turns Nathan Collins and fires the Dutch ahead on 12 minutes
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Lovely intricate play on the edge of the area from the hosts.
Weghorst puts Gapko through on goal but Bazunu is alert and gets to the loose ball ahead of the Liverpool star.
There’s already a carnival atmosphere in Amsterdam with a Mexican wave going around the stadium.
Ireland have had a decent spell in recent minutes though, with Ryan Manning showing some nice touches on the left.
Manning curls a cross in but it’s too close to the goalkeeper Verbruggen who claims it comfortably.
The Southampton man has seen plenty of the ball in the opening stages, but his delivery has been sub-par so far.
Dumfries puts in a dangerous ball, but Scales is in the right place to cut out the cross.
The hosts look well in control of this game as it stands.
Knight loses it cheaply and then in his determination to win it back fouls Stefan de Vrij on the edge of the area.
However, Gapko fires the ensuing free kick straight at the wall and Ireland clear easily.
Ireland have had a few nervy moments in recent minutes.
Manning and Collins have both produced stray passes in dangerous areas that have put the visitors under the cosh.
As I type, Bazunu has to parry a powerful shot by Reijnders over the bar.
HALF-TIME: NETHERLANDS 1-0 IRELAND
Half-time and the main positive from an Irish perspective is that it’s only 1-0.
It’s been another unconvincing performance so far from Stephen Kenny’s side.
They have been error-prone at the back, with a mixture of good goalkeeping and inept finishing ensuring they still have faint hopes of taking something from this game.
Of equal concern is the lack of activity down the other end.
Ireland have looked laboured on the rare occasions they’ve attacked. Evan Ferguson is too isolated and was a virtual bystander in the first half.
Moreover, there is very little potency or imagination in the final third, with attacks spoiled by poor decision-making and an abundance of sideways passes.
There is very little pace in the Irish attack, and they are clearly missing the injured Chiedozie Ogbene in particular.
Ireland make a change.
Adam Idah replaces Callum Robinson, who struggled to make much of an impact in that first half.
The second half has begun…
The Dutch almost make it two on the counter-attack.
Dumfries crosses for Simons, whose sliding finish deflects off Gapko and away to safety, much to the visitors’ relief.
Bazunu makes a good save to deny Weghorst from close range following another Dumfries cross.
Moments later, the Southampton stopper pushes a powerful Reijnders onto the post.
It’s been one-way traffic since half-time.
Ireland make a change.
Evan Ferguson, who was a fitness doubt ahead of the game, is replaced by Jamie McGrath.
The fact that Ireland have looked more vulnerable since switching to two out-and-out forwards was also likely a factor in that decision.
Bazunu does well again to stop a low Dumfries cross from reaching Weghorst.
The Ireland goalkeeper is keeping his team in the game at the moment.
Idah has the ball in the net after his shot deflects in off Van Dijk but it’s correctly ruled out for a marginal offside.
It was a really good through ball from Manning to set up the Norwich star.
RTÉ are suggesting a hamstring injury was the reason for Ferguson’s withdrawal.
Assuming that’s accurate, it is separate from the back injury he was suffering ahead of the game.
McGrath makes a good last-ditch tackle to prevent Gapko from getting a clear shot on goal.
Bazunu claims the ensuing corner.
Scales and Simons have just had a nasty clash of heads as they challenge for the ball.
Let’s hope both players are okay.
Gapko’s cross just misses the onrushing Dumfries.
The game is getting stretched with both teams starting to tire.
As I type, Gapko is replaced by Veerman.
Collins makes a last-ditch challenge to prevent Reijnders from slotting home.
It came after more sloppy play, with Browne all too easily dispossessed.
Ireland make a double change.
Johnston and Molumby replace Doherty and Knight.
Here’s a look at the disallowed Idah goal.
Adam Idah finds the net and then belatedly the flag goes up - Netherlands 1-0 Republic of Ireland
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 18, 2023
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Another Dutch change.
Simons, who has caused Ireland plenty of problems with his movement, is replaced by Malen.
Johnston wins a free kick after going past Dumfries.
Can Ireland snatch a late equaliser?
Johnston squares his free kick to Manning, whose shot is blocked down.
Down the other end, Bazunu denies Malen, whose powerful shot from a tight angle goes close.
The Irish goalkeeper is deservedly named man of the match by RTÉ.
More changes, as Parrott replaces O’Shea for Ireland.
For the Dutch, Schouten and Reijnders are replaced by De Roon and Koopmeiners.
There will be five minutes of stoppage time…
Browne’s free kick finds Collins, but his header sails onto the roof of the net.
It looks like the Dutch are going to see this game out.
RTÉ have just announced that the Netherlands are 18-2 up in terms of goal attempts, which highlights just how dominant they have been.
Ireland have a free kick with a couple of seconds left.
This is surely the last chance…
FULL-TIME: NETHERLANDS 1-0 IRELAND
That’s that.
The 1-0 result suggests it was close but in truth, Netherlands were the far superior team this evening.
Bazunu was comfortably the standout player and kept Ireland in the game until the end.
The game in many ways summed up the worst parts of the Kenny era — Ireland were too casual and error-prone at the back.
And down the other end, it felt as if the visitors could have been playing all night and still not scored, so poor was their play in the final third.
The Netherlands weren’t especially impressive either — they were missing some key players and looked there for the taking.
The Dutch were also perhaps a little complacent owing to the carnivalesque atmosphere in the stadium with the team on the verge of qualifying.
But ultimately, Ireland couldn’t capitalise amid another tepid display, which unfortunately have become far too commonplace in recent years.
Right, that’s it from me for now on another disappointing night for Ireland.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read the match report here and we’ll have plenty more reaction to follow.
