Ireland defeated Qatar 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium after Nathan Collins rose highest from a Jack Moylan delivery. The game was marred by two red card at either side of the half.
Ireland 1
Qatar 0
This victory won’t be one looked back upon in the future due to the stalemate nature of the game. However, Ireland won’t care as ending their home campaign for the 2025/26 season on a positive note will be crucial ahead of the Nations League fixtures in September.
For Qatar this is now their fourth defeat in five after three back-to-back games being called-off. Gaining fitness was the main aim of this friendly for the Qatari’s before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in a matter of weeks.
The game kicked off in what could only be described as a lowkey affair with quite a tepid atmosphere from the Irish fans who did attend.
For the fans who did show up early, they were treated with a fast start by Ireland. The games first effort came from Jack Moylan who tested the Qatari shot-stopper Abunada from a tight angle.
Ireland wouldn’t have to wait long for the games opening goal after a whipped delivery by Jack Moylan found the head of Ireland’s new skipper, Nathan Collins, who powered his header past Abunada to give Ireland the early lead.
Ireland continued to assert their dominance, albeit a fan protest early on with golf balls thrown onto the field-of-play. Parrott came close with a long range strike fizzing past the right-hand post after expert play by Seamus Coleman and Jack Moylan.
Moylan was a live wire throughout the first-half, constantly pressing and winning the ball back and this time the Lincoln man was able to set Jayson Molumby up who fired a speculative long range effort which was simple for Abunada to claim.
Qatar posed little threat on the counter with Afif isolated on the left-wing, giving Ireland the ability to control the game, although, through a lack of chances.
However, the Qatari’s did win a free-kick late in the first-half after an innocuous foul by Seamus Coleman, Homam Elamin stepped up and blazed his effort high and wide, summing up Qatar’s first-half performance.
Unfortunately, the talking point of the game surrounded an unfortunate red card for hat-trick hero Jack Moylan after a late challenge by the Dubliner catching the lower leg of Jassem Gaber.
After the break, Qatar gained confidence due to the extra-man advantage and began to dominate possession albeit with no threat.
Qatar’s first strike in anger of the second-half came after Jayson Molumby was dispossessed on the halfway line, Edmilson Junior then powered through midfield but arrowed his long-distance strike wide.
The red card didn’t stop Ireland from attacking although, as Ogbene and Parrott offered themselves as outlets.
Qatar’s best chance since the sending off came after a low cross was met by substitute Ahmed Alaaeldin who had his close range effort blocked out by Nathan Collins.
Kelleher who had been dormant for the majority of the game was properly called into action in 70th minute after a strike by Alaaedin was deflected by Nathan Collins, Kelleher seemed to be left stranded but sprung across his goal to tip the ball away.
Late in the second half this time it was Qatar who saw the red mist after violent conduct by substitute Almoez Ali.
After the red card Ireland were back in the ascendancy with Jaden Umeh in particular having a strong cameo. Nathan Collins met another free-kick delivery, his header however this time was wide of the mark in his efforts to find a player in green at the back post.
Ireland before the full-time whistle looked the more likely to score however, a second goal would not come for the hosts after the best efforts of the supporters cheering them on.
For Ireland, next up it’s a trip to Montreal to face Canada.
Man of the Match: Nathan Collins
Nathan Collins was undoubtably man of the match for the hosts as his early first half header broke the deadlock. Captaining Ireland for the first time, he was impressive in leading Ireland’s back-three.
Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher, Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins, Jake O’Brien, Liam Scales, Jayson Molumby, Jamie McGrath, Seamus Coleman, Chiedozie Ogbene, Jack Moylan, Troy Parrott Subs: James Abankwah for Dara O’Shea (46′) Corrie Ndaba for Liam Scales (71′) Jaden Umeh for Chiedozie Ogbene (71′) Mason Melia for Troy Parrott (90′)
Qatar: Mahmud Abunada, Ayoub Al Oui, Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Homan Elamin, Edmilson Junior, Jassem Gaber, Ahmed Fathi, Akram Afif, Yusuf Abdurisag Subs: Assim Madibo for Akram Afif (58′), Karim Boudiaf for Jassem Gaber (58′), Ahmed Alaaeldin for Edmilson Junior (58′), Almoez Ali for Boualem Khoukhi (58′), Mohamed Al Mannai for Ahmed Fathi (59′)
Referee: Jamie Robinson
Attendance: 28,981