Ireland suffer a heavy defeat at the hands of Portugal in New Jersey. Here are all six goals
A disappointing night for Ireland saw the season come to end with a 5-1 defeat at the hands of World Cup bound Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo played 65 minutes, and was involved in a few of the goals but it was other players, and poor Irish play, that really did the damage. Hugo Almeida grabbed two, Richard Keogh had an OG and Veirinha and Coentrao also got in on the act.
The only bright spots were a decent showing by Wes Hoolahan and a first international goal by James McClean, whose goal made it 3-1 and gave us some hope at the start of the second half.
Anyway, here’s how the night unfolded.
It took Portugal just two minutes to score in tonight’s friendly against Ireland.
Stephen Ward was dispossessed in midfield, Varela broke down the right and his inch perfect cross was nodded in by Huga Almeida.
Could be a long night. Or a short one if we decide to go to bed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ7Xp5Xi0Jg&feature=youtu.be&a
Update: 23 minutes
Now it is 2-0. It will go down as an OG for Richard Keogh but it was created with some brilliant build-up play, involving Ronaldo, before a Coentrao cross looped over David Forde’s head via Keogh’s foot. Cruel
Update: 37 minutes This time Aiden McGeady loses it in midfield and again we get hit hard on our left flank. A superb Varela cross is headed goalward by Ronaldo. Forde bats it away but Almeida is there to bundle home his second.
Update: 51 minutes
A much brighter start to the second half for Ireland results in a goal for James McClean who finishes smartly with his left after a quick Irish free. The Derry man’s first goal in green.
Update: 77 minutes Just after Ireland put on four strikers (Long, Keane, Cox and Doyle) Portugal nab another through Vierinha after an inch-perfect cross by Nani. Forde saved the first effort but the striker finished at the second attempt.
Update: 82 minutes
And now it is 5-1. Nani again sets it up and this time Coentrao slips the ball past Forde.
