Republic’s Euro hopes all but over after Dutch loss-ZoomTech News

The Republic of Eire’s Euro 2024 qualification hopes are all however over after the Netherlands got here from a aim all the way down to edge an entertaining qualifier in Dublin.

However the Dutch hit again with a spot-kick of their very own by Cody Gakpo.

Substitute Wout Weghorst’s winner then condemned the Republic to a fourth defeat in 5 qualifiers.

It leaves supervisor Stephen Kenny’s aspect six factors adrift of the second-placed Dutch having performed a recreation extra, with a house match in opposition to Greece and a visit to Gibraltar in October up subsequent.

And with a visit to the Netherlands to return of their closing qualifier, Sunday’s defeat in Dublin successfully seals the Republic’s destiny and heaps extra stress on Kenny after the Dubliner’s failure to steer the crew to Euro 2020 and final 12 months’s World Cup.

Republic make dream begin

On a balmy Dublin night, the combo of nerves and pleasure among the many dwelling crowd was immediately detectable. As kick-off approached, they roared and roared, fuelled by the hope of seeing their crew pull off a outstanding shock and reive their qualifying hopes.

The Irish gamers had been clearly invigorated by the noise, and whereas they did all the pieces however rating in opposition to France at this floor in March, they solely wanted to attend 4 minutes in opposition to the Dutch.

After Chiedozie Ogbene failed to complete after a dangerous cross from Dutch keeper Mark Flekken put Frenkie de Jong in hassle, Shane Duffy’s header from the resultant nook struck Van Dijk’s hand.

Idah tucked the spot-kick away with aplomb. The early platform Kenny craved had arrived.

However the dwelling followers had been quickly to be silenced. After the hosts coughed up possession, Gakpo sliced open their defence with a looking by ball, and when Denzel Dumfries acquired to the ball earlier than the advancing Bazunu, referee Irfan Peljto pointed to the spot.

Gakpo’s confidently-taken penalty briefly energised the Dutch, with Bazunu doing nicely to thwart Donyell Malen.

5 minutes earlier than the break, Bazunu annoyed Malen once more, turning the Borussia Dortmund ahead’s low drive away together with his foot.

However the Republic had been undeterred by flashes of Dutch tempo and continued to assault in numbers. They pressed aggressively, chasing and harrying an completed trio of centre-backs.

It virtually yielded a second dwelling aim, too, when in a close to carbon-copy of Ogbene’s likelihood within the opening minute, De Jong had his pocket picked on the sting of his field just for Ake to cost down the Irish ahead’s shot.

De Jong shines as Weghorst crushes Irish hopes

Netherland’s supervisor Ronald Koeman’s response to the Republic’s first-half vitality was to modify it up – and it labored. Tijani Reijnders’ introduction for Mats Wieffer afforded the Dutch extra management in midfield, whereas Daley Blind’s exit for Weghorst gave the away aspect a transparent point of interest up high.

And the Republic duly discovered themselves retreating. Whereas De Jong appeared shaky in possession near his personal aim within the first half shut, the Barcelona midfielder’s motion and passing in additional superior positions was a pleasure to look at.

It was his guile and craft on the coronary heart of the second Dutch aim. He chipped a pleasant cross over the Irish defence to Dumfries who, having been performed onside by Duffy, pulled the ball again for Weghorst to pounce 11 minutes after being referred to as upon.

From there, the Republic – maybe having expended an excessive amount of vitality within the first half – toiled of their efforts to get again into the sport.

Ogbene had a penalty attraction waved away, however with each Irish cross that failed to satisfy its supposed goal, the groans of the Aviva crowd had been telling.

In reality, the Dutch noticed the sport out pretty comfortably and whereas they continue to be locked in a battle for second place with Greece, who beat Gibraltar as anticipated, the Republic should grapple with the near-certainty of one other failed bid to achieve a significant event.