Ireland have blown two precious points tonight in the qualifying for the European Championships next summer. Ireland drew 2-2 away to Slovakia but in truth, the men in green and white really should of taken all three points. Optimism was high in Bratislava as Ireland took to the field being cheered on by 8,000 Irish fans who occupied two thirds of the 12,000 crowd. Ireland knew that if they were to have a chance of qualifying for next summers tournament then they would need to collect at least four points out of a possible six available from these two games against Czech Republic and Slovakia and Ireland got off to the best possible start when Manchester City midfielder, Stephen Ireland slotted away Kevin Kilbane's cross after just 7 minutes.But Slovakia levelled after 36 minutes when Maros Kimpl headed passed Ireland keeper Shay Given to put the home side back on level terms. After the interval Slovakia were rewarded with a guilt edge chance but only for Marek Mintal to head wide. After Kevin Doyle scored midway through the second half it appeared as though Ireland would get the three points and travel to Czech Republic with spirits high but they got complacent. Doyle nearly wrapped it up soon after but the Slovakian keeper got down well to deny the striker.
Ireland boss Stev Staunton, made some pathetic changes which in my mind led to the side conceding late on in injury time. Staunton brought on Darren Gibson and Johnathan Douglas for Aidean McGeady and Stephen Ireland, changes which for me were rubbish. Both players were sloppy and wasted possession and in the end that's what lost us the three points. Marek Cech equalised for the hosts late into injury time when a long ball was flicked on by man of the macth Richard Dunne only to fall into the path of the Slovakia left back who slotted home past Given.
This result has all but ended Ireland's hopes of qualifying because I cannot see a side that wastes as much possession as Ireland did tonight to go on and beat the Czech Republic on Wednesday. When Ireland won both of their internationals back in March, against Wales and Slovakia, I thought to myself that I would give Staunton another chance but after seeing the side perform like they did tonight I'm have finally lost patience. I also saw somewhere tonight that Staunton was trying to take the positives out of this performances but frankly there were none.
