James McClean’s second half brace made it two wins in four days for Martin O’Neill’s team, leaving them well placed in Group D
The Republic of Ireland’s chances of qualifying for Russia in 2018 are looking rosier after they overcame a mid-match wobble in Moldova to record an eventually comfortable victory, thanks to James McClean’s two second-half goals.
It was a win that Martin O’Neill’s side always deserved, and Irish spirits will have been further boosted by Wales dropping points at home to Georgia earlier in the evening, which leaves the Republic second in Group D. However, the manner in which they lost their way and conceded a sloppy equaliser shortly before half-time will concern the Republic’s manager.
Their captain, Séamus Coleman, admitted as much. “Just before half-time we were very naive to be left isolated at the back like we were,” said the defender. “We should have just come in at half-time one nil up, but we didn’t and we made it hard work, and I thought we were very sloppy at times with flicks and kicks in the first half but we got it right in the second half.”
Ireland were without the suspended Jeff Hendrick and the injured Robbie Brady but gave Wes Hoolahan a start and the Norwich playmaker proved his worth by setting up the opening goal after four minutes. He released Shane Long with a superb first-time pass from just past the halfway line for the Southampton striker to tuck it confidently away with his right foot, low into the corner past the advancing goalkeeper, Nicolae Calancea, for his first goal in 18 matches.
They may not have been up against testing opposition but there was a fluency to Ireland’s football that was largely absent three days earlier against Georgia. Hoolahan, always on the lookout for an incisive pass, was prominent in most Irish attacks, while Coleman on the right and McClean and Stephen Ward on the left frequently stretched the home defence.
Ireland had chances to extend their lead when McClean fired wide first-time on the half-volley and when Coleman advanced skilfully to the byline and crossed for Long six yards out but his header was blocked by Vitalie Bordian.
Moldova looked stretched, already reliant on the counterattack and balls forward for their wide men to chase, but the sole striker Igor Bugaev cut a lonely figure.
The Moldova right-back, Igor Arnas, needed treatment to his right leg after a 50-50 challenge with Long and was carried off and replaced by Victor Golovatenco.
Chances began to dry up, as Moldova ended the half with their best spell of the match. The visitors were punished just before half-time when Bugaev got goalside of the Irish back four on a breakaway, racing clear of the badly out of position Shane Duffy from halfway and finishing smartly past Darren Randolph from just inside the area.
Moldova looked sprightly at the start of the second half, too, Alexandru Dedov testing Randolph with a firm rising drive. O’Neill’s side now found themselves struggling to find the space and movement they had enjoyed in the opening stages, with passes going astray and Coleman receiving a yellow card for a foul on Dedov after being dispossessed.
But the longer the half progressed, the more Moldova sat back and they were punished on 69 minutes when a hopeful shot from James McCarthy was controlled on the six-yard line by Jon Walters, who laid it back for McClean to send a firm shot low to the keeper’s left-hand corner.
McClean made sure seven minutes later, finishing a stylish move started by Hoolahan, whose close control on the right touchline created space for a pass to Coleman whose first-time delivery was volleyed in from close range.
Moldova’s discipline began to desert them, Andrei Cojacari going in the book for an ugly hack at McClean. Tempers also boiled over in the final minute when Walters reacted badly to a foul from Dedov and earned a booking for dissent, after O’Neill had rushed on to the pitch to calm the winger down. But it was only a minor blemish on a satisfying evening.
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