Speed Era Starts with Defeat

Republic of Ireland 3 Wales 0

Giovanni Trapattoni enjoyed a comfortable win in the first fixture of the Carling Nations Cup as the hosts outshone a poor showing from Gary Speed’s side in his first game in charge. Second half goals from Darron Gibson, Damien Duff and Keith Fahey wrapped up three points to send the Republic top of the table in the round robin format competition.

In the absence of Robbie Keane, Jonathan Walters got his first start partnering Kevin Doyle. Seamus Coleman, Ciaran Clark and later Marc Wilson all made their debuts for the boys in green. Speed went with a front three, the diminutive Rob Earnshaw playing centrally rather than Simon Church who had a berth on the right.

Chances were few and far between in an underwhelming first half, but the home side made the better start with a Duff crosshot shaving the post after five minutes. The Fulham winger certainly had the better of his exchange with Blackpool full back Neal Eardley who was subbed at the interval for Chris Gunter.

Welsh attacks broke down and possession was consistently wasted in the final third with Earnshaw not getting a sniff all night; a counter attack made by his pace being cut out summed up the Nottingham Forest striker’s evening. Speed’s men nonetheless had a case for a penalty as the half hour approached when Coleman lunged in on Hal Robson-Kanu, but the Reading man stayed on his feet when going down under the challenge might have resulted in a spot kick.

Doyle, who had been voted the Republic’s player of the year for 2010, showed great strength to get away from his markers, but shot straight at Wayne Hennessy in the visiting goal with ten minutes to go before the break. Debutant Clark subsequently wasted a free header which he put wide after a worked free kick. Church did draw a save out of Shay Given at the end of the half, coming in from the right and shooting from the edge of the box, but Ireland’s most capped player and captain on the night was equal to it.

Shane Long was introduced for Doyle during the interval and the Reading striker should have hit the target from twelve yards on fifty minutes when Duff slipped him in but he fired over. The pair combined again moments later, but the Fulham man was off-balance when he cracked his shot and it was straight into the arms of Hennessy.

The Republic found the breakthrough on the hour. Gibson played a one-two with Glenn Whelan with the Welsh defence standing off him and the Manchester United midfielder hammered a twenty five yard drive beyond the keeper. Speed’s side showed very little signs of responding to going behind, though Church did have another long range effort deflected wide.

Seven minutes after taking the lead Trapattoni’s men doubled their advantage through Duff. Walters showed strength and determination to get the ball off Gunter who was attempting to shepherd it out for a goal kick. The Stoke forward then pulled it back into the middle where Long dummied and the Fulham winger ended his five year international goal drought beating Hennessy from eight yards.

Substitutions for both sides came thick and fast as six apiece are permitted in the Carling Nations Cup. Eight minutes from time James Collins who was given the armband by Speed for the match fouled Walters giving the Republic a free kick in a promising position. Fahey stepped up and the substitute curled one round the wall and past Hennessy to seal the win. The Welsh keeper’s positioning may be brought into question as he was stood too centrally as the set piece was taken.

This was a comfortable win that puts the boys in green in a promising position with Scotland and Northern Ireland to play tomorrow. Wales were very poor opposition, lacking creativity and guile. The in-form Andy King had an extremely quiet night and Andrew Crofts showed none of the playmaking ability he has displayed for club side Norwich. Service into the frontmen was absent and although a number of key names, Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy to name two, were missing for the visitors the lack of depth is something that will concern Speed.

Trapattoni’s side didn’t have to be anywhere near their best to come out on top in this fixture. The Irish defence was commanding in the air, but there was not much of a contest in that department. All the Welsh possession was enjoyed in front of them which made it easy for the back four to shut out attacks; a first clean sheet in five is most welcome nonetheless. Duff was the inspiration and still has a lot to offer in spite of his increasing years.