New thread as the last thread seems to be broken.
ah look - I was at the Ireland Germany game 9 years ago - yesterday was better for me really since the team has been in such doldrums. And because of the pure pantomime of Ronaldo, which added to it hugely.
A few thoughts after yesterday (i) it makes the entire Kenny era look like a folly. I think there was a bit of feelgood around an LOI manager taking over the team, but he didnt play to the teams strengths. Heimir should be kept on. (ii) these players have had so many bad days, but they keep showing up and you have to give them credit for that. Dara O'Shea has played 40 times for Ireland now, how many of those have been disappointing nights - the 2023 euros campaign he played most of those games and it was just dismal; but the likes of Dara keep showing up and keep putting it in for Ireland.
So I'm absolutely delighted for him and Coleman and Collins and Ogbene and all those lads, and for the fans and for the coaching team, especially John O'Shea. Lets give it a lash against Hungary, but either way - that was an incredible night.
Its not 2-legged, it's 2 ties, i.e. semi-final and final. It'll be the 12 group runners-up and 4 Nations League winners. So 16 teams for 4 places. There are no guaranteed particpants as yet. (EDIT : Albania definitely one of the 16).
But reasonably certain that the teams will include Poland, one of Denmark or Scotland, Turkey, Bosnia, Italy, Wales, Czech Rep, Hungary or Ireland, Slovakia or Northern Ireland, Iceland or Ukraine.
I was looking at the stats last night, Portugal had 5 shots on target, Kellehar saved one. They got no goals. What happened the rest? I don't remember 4 times when a last defender cleared one off the line? Maybe something I'm missing, just curious!
there’s a total of sixteen teams for 4 spots -12 runners up and 4 nations league entrants. so it’s a one legged semi final and final to qualify.
Too early to worry about that though!
At the risk of thinking too far ahead, does anyone have an idea who the potential play off opponents are? Is it the usual 2-legged affair? In March?
It looks like a 50-50 shot for qualification now.
What is very positive is the big boost in confidence this result will give the players - they need the belief they can get a result and should now have that.
After last night, how are people feeling about Sunday?
Obviously spirits are high and coming off the biggest win in a decade.
However last night probably took a lot out of the legs and home advantage for the Hungarians is a big deal.
100% win record as president. Michael D. was holding us back.
A perfect response to someone saying you can't criticise Ronaldo because of his social media fan boys.
Did Ireland's new President Catherine Connolly attend the Ireland v Portugal game last night!
What's funny is Ronaldo promised 'to be a good boy' in the pre match press conference, and then got sent off for the first time playing for Portugal, lol.
We’ve had so many years of debate on here over what’s possible, how should we play, why are we so uncompetitive, etc. Last night was the essence of the debate for me: have a good game plan, execute it well and put bodies on the line at the back. We CAN compete.
Best performance since O’Neill, and best result too. It’s a huge ask on Sunday, we all know that, but this is the kind of result you can bring into the next Nations League / Euro Qualifying process. I think it’s also really important to get to the last game for the first time since 2020 qualifying. Small bits of actual progress for the first time in forever. Delighted.
As silly a post as I've ever seen TBF.
I assume a part of Martinez getting the job was having Ronaldo’s approval, with Ronaldo looking for someone who would guarantee he would be involved up to WC26.
But he’s long past it at the top level. Hes still a top finisher and in unreal shape for his age, but he hasn’t been able to run at the level required for years. His ego is far too big to accept that though so as long as someone like Martinez is involved to pander to him he’ll probably stick around for the Euro campaign.
Ronaldo is essentially there in case they get a penalty and he can add to his stats. The commotion around his free kicks is hilarious because he hasn't been good at them in genuinely 10 years and even then he was no Pirlo.
You can't speak out against Ronaldo because he has weaponised his social media following. I can't wait until the cults around himself and Messi are gone from football.
Didn't the last Portuguese manager try to phase Ronaldo out of the squad during the last World Cup?
I have a vague memory of him being benched for a quarter final.
I was at Barcelona v Seville September 2023, felix was by far the best player on the pitch, he definitely has the talent but maybe not the drive and hunger to be a top footballer.
Sure isn't he playing in Saudi Arabia? A lad in his 20s, says it all about him.
Ronaldo is holding that team back. Ive been saying it for 2 years or more. Its like playing with 10 men. He doesnt do much as a target man any more. He doesnt make runs, try to break defensive lines, anything. Just content to playing tippy tappy passes like hes in training.
I said to son last night at half time, if Martinez had any balls he should tell Ron he ain't coming out for the 2nd half. Had they put on a proper forward like Ramos at the start of the 2nd , they could have possibly salvaged something from the game. But as I already know, I was told you can't sub Ronnie, the press would crucify you. But surely there's proper sports journos in Portugal who can see how hes hampering the team? They can't all be blinded by their love for Ronaldo surely?
His lack of movement on a pleasant Dublin night of 11c doesnt bode well for him when he has to try running in America in 40c.
As for the likes of Leao and Felix, completely agree. Simply not good enough. Coleman had Leao in his back pocket.
Also think Martinez is holding this team back. They were so slow last night, pedestrian football. Played right into our hands. Never thought id say it, but they missed Bruno too.
But what a night, will live long in the memory.
Tbf its not like theres great alternatives. The Portugese teams been weird for yonks for having random lads filling in gaps.
Ronaldo was useless and should have been subbed off. Portugal won't get near winning the World Cup if the manager is too afraid to make those decisions.
Felix should be nowhere near an international set up. Even dropping down to Serie A he was still useless. As for Leao he can be fun to watch but Serie A is also his level.
I've sat through enough hard watches at Lansdowne in recent years to deserve tonight.
100%. He is a decent finisher when given half a chance and chasing a game, but overall he's a very frustrating individual.
I think someone mentioned earlier or yesterday, that for a lad that's supposed to have pace he never demonstrates it, and even though he has a decent frame he's equally poor in the air and lacks any kind of physicality in aerial duels.
But most frustratingly with him is he never looks interested. His work rate is appalling. He came on with 20+ mins left and never once looked to close down the Portuguese defenders, and when he did stroll back in our half he did nothing either. All the other outfield players where pressing, tracking runs, putting in tackles and blocks, while Idah just stood still and watched the game happen around him. It was almost 10 v 10. If Johnny Kenny continues his form then Idah should lose his place in the team imo.
He shouldn't be written off, but he should be firmly 3rd choice. When he came on, he performed exactly as I mentioned I worried he might before the match.
If we're ever hunting for a goal, he's a decent option as he can take chances in the box and has good poachers instincts. How he was used in the Hungary game was ideal - off the bench for the last 15 minutes when we were putting a lot of ball into the box, and he took his chance. Same as he did in a 20 minute appearance against Bulgaria when we were searching for a winner. That's where he adds value. So he could well have a part to play on Sunday. I wouldn't turn to him for much more than that if we could help it though.
got us an important goal in this campaign. The story of a lot of these players is still being told as I’ve found out with my pre match comments on Parrott.
we’re not in a position to write off anybody in their 20s with 30 plus caps
Not personally getting carried away as qualification is a far off prospect but that hopefully is an important night in the teams development even if a lot of problems remain.
id play Tom Cannon and johnny kenny before Idah.
Just don't score too early in Budapest or I'll need a bypass
He did it himself, the twat.
He offers so little now. Its almost playing with 10 with him. When you remember how he used to win games on his own against the best, now he is on the pitch to play little one twos, tap the ball about. He doesnt trouble defenders any more.
But great noise in the stadium tonight, was a pleasure to be there and witness what we can do when our backs are to the wall. Pity we drop silly points earlier.
Watching a guy like Felix, who once went for 115m do nothing, and a highly touted Leao not be able to get past a 36yr old was fun
I can't even deal.
It's the hope that kills me
I think they also had a man sent off in that match.
Croatia in 98 is the last top side we beat by 2 according to the Irish Times.
