Republic of Ireland suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine on a historic night in the UEFA Nations League.
The fixture had a distinctive aura given the circumstances, however Stephen Kenny’s aspect couldn’t take their possibilities as they succumbed to a demoralising defeat.
Viktor Tsyganov’s aim proved the distinction in Dublin, and additional piled the stress on Kenny and Co.
Ireland have been nearly in from the beginning, when the spectacular Jason Knight discovered a hole after spinning two gamers and charged in behind the opposition midfield.
The Derby man’s go to Callum Robinson maybe had an excessive amount of weight, and the striker misplaced management, bringing an finish to Ireland’s first sniff at aim.
Ireland continued to press excessive and it was Knight once more who troubled, however his tame cross ended one other shiny bout of play. Replacement right-wing-back Cyrus Christie contributed subsequent, however his personal cross was calmly collected by opposition goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
Knight then stepped up once more, testing Lunin with a long-range drive which the ‘keeper was pressured to parry round for a nook.
Good hit from Jason Knight – Andriy Lunin bats it away
???? https://t.co/IkeZyr9KXT
???? https://t.co/Xi7cV6ut8B
???? https://t.co/gC15h8YXpn #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/Q8sPXfcedR— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 8, 2022
Ukraine responded with their very own first pop at aim, Mykhailo Mudryk’s effort going excessive and extensive.
Their subsequent significant try — by means of Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko — gave Ireland extra to fret about, however he too couldn’t hold the ball below management.
Chiedoze Ogbene started to hassle Ukraine down the proper flank, however seemed indecisive at instances when operating in the direction of the opposition penalty space.
Shane Duffy did his job on the different finish with a well-timed block that may have earned Caoimhin Kelleher’s gratitude.
Robinson gave the impression to be bundled over for a penalty however the referee was not having it.
There was additional controversy on the reverse finish when Ukraine thought they’d the breakthrough.
Taras Kacharaba scored a thunderbolt after a touchdown a tame push on Knight.
VAR dominated the aim out, however for an offside name in the build-up and a tight one at that.
HT Rep of Ireland 0-0 Ukraine
The guests had a aim dominated out for offside, however ought to Ireland have had a penalty????? https://t.co/IkeZyr9KXT
???? https://t.co/Xi7cV6ut8B
???? https://t.co/gC15h8YXpn #RTEsoccer #IRLUKR pic.twitter.com/THyOAE31yX— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 8, 2022
The first probability of the second-half fell Knight’s approach, however his close-range try was blocked.
Ukraine then acquired the breakthrough on the different finish of the sphere, and in calamitous vogue.
Half-time substitute Tsygankov’s in-swinging free kick bounced unopposed and up past Kelleher into the highest nook.
Not a aim that Ireland — and notably Kelleher — will need to watch again.
How Ukraine took the lead in opposition to Ireland ⚽️
Not one Caoimhin Kelleher will need to watch again ????
???????? vs ???????? | #IRLUKRpic.twitter.com/ebhLdsqRpf
— Extra.ie Sport (@ExtraSportIre) June 8, 2022
John Egan made approach for Dara O’Shea after harm appeared to get the higher of the Cork man.
There have been extra nervy moments for the host in defence, earlier than Jeff Hendrick took too lengthy when had the possibility to threaten on the different finish.
Kenny then launched Michael Obafemi, James McClean and Alan Browne as he seemed to inject tempo in Ireland’s play.
Obafemi then tee’d up Duffy at a nook however the Ireland skipper scuffed his close-range effort, prompting groans from the gang.
Duffy got here even nearer simply minutes later when his header was parried expertly onto the crossbar by Lunin.
Obafemi then had a probability of his personal on the again submit however couldn’t react in time.
Good work from substitute CJ Hamilton set the scene for Josh Cullen to have a crack subsequent, and the Anderlecht man’s long-range effort went extensive of the mark.
Duffy went shut once more with a header, however his try gave the impression to be offside regardless.
Ireland are so near a levller as Shane Duffy’s header is brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Andriy Lunin
???? https://t.co/IkeZyr9KXT
???? https://t.co/Xi7cV6ut8B
???? https://t.co/gC15h8YXpn #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/twg57SDTfF— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 8, 2022
One extra important probability fell Ireland’s approach — Duffy practically pulling off a beautiful bicycle kick — earlier than Knight drilled it over.
Ukraine then rattled the bar on the reverse finish, a important Nathan Collins block diverting a near-certain aim off course.
The outcome marks back-to-back-losses for Stephen Kenny’s aspect in the Nations League.
The Boys In Green will go once more once they take on Scotland in Dublin on Saturday.