Republic of Ireland vs Netherlands. European Championship Qualifying Group B.
Aviva StadiumAttendance49,807.
Report as Cody Gakpo and Wout Weghorst effectively end the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualification hopes as the Netherlands came from behind to win in Dublin
Monday 11 September 2023 15:17, UK
A defiant Stephen Kenny is refusing to contemplate his position despite seeing the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2024 qualification hopes ripped apart by the Netherlands.
Ireland got off to a dream start when, with just two minutes gone, Dutch skipper Virgil van Dijk was penalised for handling James McClean's corner and Adam Idah fired home from the penalty spot.
However, the visitors were back in it after 19 minutes when Cody Gakpo split the Irish defence to find Denzel Dumfries' run and he was brought down by keeper Gavin Bazunu, who was booked for his troubles, as he attempted to round him.
Gakpo took responsibility from the spot and fired low to Bazunu's left to level.
The Netherlands took the lead 11 minutes after the restart when Frenkie De Jong picked out Dumfries' run with a precise pass over the top and when he turned the ball across goal, half-time substitute Wout Weghorst was on hand to stab home.
For Republic manager Kenny, a fourth defeat in five Group B games and just a single win means a trip to Germany next summer through Group B is almost impossible with France having collected a maximum 15 points and the Dutch and Greece both sitting on nine.
Kenny, who was adamant in the build-up to the game that he still expected to be in charge for next month's double-header against Greece and Gibraltar whatever happened on Sunday evening, remained just as determined in the wake of a heart-breaking defeat.
Asked about his future, he said: "Listen from my point of view, I'm not thinking about that now. I'm just very disappointed that we can't finish in the top two in the group. I'm just very, very disappointed with that and it's gut-wrenching that we can't, you know?
"I think France are the best team in the world, up a level. Holland are probably not at the level of France, but they're still… Argentina beat them in the World Cup on penalties.
"They have a lot of world-class players, but it's still one that when you take the lead like we did, you are capable of winning. But we didn't defend well enough overall to do that."
Appointed in April 2020, Kenny, who received a mixed response from a crowd of 49,807 when his named was announced ahead of kick-off at the Aviva Stadium, set his sights on building a new-look side for this campaign but to be so far off the pace with three games left to play represents failure in that mission and his future looks bleak.
However, his team played with real endeavour for large parts, albeit without the quality to hurt the opposition.
Kenny's men could hardly have got off to a better start when, having already caused panic in the Dutch defence, they were awarded a fourth-minute penalty for handball by Virgil van Dijk.
Adam Idah, who had only previously scored one senior international goal - and that against Gibraltar in June - dispatched the resulting spot-kick with the confidence of a man with a far more impressive record and the locals among a crowd of 49,807 dared to believe.
However, a defensive lapse allowed Denzel Dumfries through on goal and when he went down under keeper Gavin Bazunu's challenge, Cody Gakpo was equally decisive from 12 yards.
Ireland gave as good as they got before the break, prompting Ronald Koeman to send on Wout Weghorst and Tijjani Reijnders before the restart, and it was Weghorst who scored what proved to be the winner within 11 minutes when he converted from Dumfries' knock-down.
Asked about the pressure on his shoulders, Kenny said: "There is pressure on, pressure from ourselves because we were desperate to go into the October window still very much in the hunt.
"We were desperate to do that, so there's that pressure from within ourselves, so we're disappointed with that, really disappointed with that.
"From our point of view, we've got Greece and Gibraltar to prepare for in October, which is only a few weeks away, and Holland, so we have to finish the group strongly and see if we have a play-off [via the Nations League] in March then. We're not sure about that."
Koeman admitted he was far from happy at the break, but delighted with the way his players responded to his half-time message.
He said: "The start was really poor. We expected high pressing from the Irish team, but we lost many balls in our possession and we did not have control in the game.
"After 20, 25 minutes, it was a little bit more calmed down and the decision at half-time to change the system to play four at the back was a good decision.
"After half-time, we controlled the game. Only in the last 10 minutes, maybe they brought the same pressing, but they did not create any chance to score and we defended well in the last part of the game, and finally I think it's a fair result."
Three spots are allocated to teams based on their Nations League performances, where Leagues A, B, and C are allocated one place each with the winner of each play-off, consisting of a semi-final and final, secure safe passage to the upcoming Euros.
Ireland did only finish third in Group B1, finishing behind Scotland and Ukraine, however, they still may nab one of the four play-off spots as many of the teams in their pot will have already qualified automatically for the finals.
If Ireland are one of those teams allocated a play-off spot, the draw takes place in November 2023, with the play-off semi-finals and finals being played between March 21 and 26, 2024.
Former Republic of Ireland international Clinton Morrison on Sky Sports News:
"It's disappointing. In the first half, there was lots of optimism with the way they started and the early goal through Adam Idah.
"This was a must-win for the Republic of Ireland if they wanted to have a slim chance of qualifying for the Euros.
"The Netherlands penalty in the first half. If they [Ireland] had gone in at 1-0, they would've had a great chance.
"But the Netherlands made some big chances and went on to win the game. They deserved it after that second half.
"It's frustrating because the first half was really positive. But the second half was flat and that's when you need the fans behind you.
"But it's difficult if you're not giving the fans anything to get behind you for. Another disappointing night for Ireland."
Republic of Ireland's next game is a Euro 2024 Qualifier against Greece at the Aviva Stadium on October 13 - kick-off 7.45pm.
Netherlands' next outing is against France in a Euro 2024 Qualifier in Amsterdam on October 13 - kick-off 7.45pm.
