Republic of Ireland vs Finland. UEFA Nations League Group B4.
Aviva Stadium.
Fredrik Jensen scores only goal of game 18 seconds after coming on as a sub
Monday 7 September 2020 12:07, UK
Republic of Ireland remain winless in the Nations League as they were beaten 1-0 by Finland in Stephen Kenny's first home match as manager.
Finland's Teemu Pukki had the best chance of a dour first half, but was denied by Darren Randolph having been played through one-on-one.
Despite starting the second half brightly, Ireland fell behind as sub Fredrik Jensen scored with his first touch, just 18 seconds after coming on as a sub, turning home from close range at the far post.
Ireland missed chances through subs David McGoldrick and Callum Robinson, and Finland missed fine chances of their own to double the lead.
The result means Kenny's side are winless after two Nations League games, sitting third of their group with a point, while Finland move second, behind leaders Wales.
In a listless first half, Republic of Ireland's build-up was slow and predictable, with the best chance of the opening 45 minutes falling to Norwich's Pukki.
Found through on goal by Robert Taylor with ease as John Egan was caught deep, Pukki had time to compose himself one-on-one with Randolph, but the goalkeeper stood tall and saved superbly.
Ireland's only attempt on goal came from Harry Arter's 30-yard effort, easily saved, but in the second half the hosts came out brighter.
Aaron Connolly hit the side-netting, before Callum O'Dowda curled wide, but the first goal fell to Finland. Pukki released Taylor on the left flank, just onside, and his centre met Jensen at the far post as the sub slid in for the opener to make an instant impact.
Kenny's side reacted well; McGoldrick should have controlled better with the goal at his mercy as Ireland closed down a poor Finland goal-kick, before Robinson was denied by Lukas Hradecky from a slight angle.
Randolph then did well to beat away Taylor's near-post effort, and was then rooted as Pukki's snapshot fell inches wide, but he was again called into action to tip over Nikolai Alho's effort as Finland looked more likely to score the next goal.
Despite some late pressure on their goal, Finland held on, and again it was a case of industry with no bite for the Irish, who go into their huge Euro 2020 Play-off semi-final clash with Slovakia next month on the back of a defeat.
Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny talking to Sky Sports:
"I think we had four or five chances today, and when you get them you have to take them, so we're disappointed to lose the game. If you look at all the games, Wales have won in injury time, we got a late goal in Bulgaria, there's been nothing in the games, and the ability to take the chances is the critical difference.
"For us there's a bigger picture, and that's Slovakia next month. We want players to put their hand up, in the picture, for Slovakia. We need to increase our attacking options for sure against Slovakia. It gives us real food for thought for the game next month."
Republic of Ireland midfielder Harry Arter talking to Sky Sports:
"It's hugely disappointing, we didn't deserve to lose the game. We probably didn't do enough to get a goal, but we defended well. We've got to make sure we see games like that out 0-0, if we're not going to create an awful lot, we've got to make sure we don't concede. It's disappointing.
"In the attacking areas we needed to be better, we didn't have enough conviction up top. That's not a criticism to the lad who play up there, maybe as a team we were too slow building up or that final pass let us down. We lacked that killer instinct you need at international level."
Republic of Ireland return to action on October 8 in Slovakia in their European Championship qualifying Path B Play-off semi-final.
