James McClean’s second half brace made it two wins in four days for Martin O’Neill’s team, leaving them well placed in Group D
It was not straightforward, indeed it was quite ugly at times but Ireland have another three points and are well positioned in Group D. James McClean’s second half brace makes it a second win in four days. Martin O’Neill’s team are behind Serbia on goal difference, with Wales third on five points and Austria another point back. Ireland take on Austria in Vienna next month. Moldova are also rans and were fortunate to have a goal here. Thanks for reading.
90 min +3: It’s dealt with.
90 min +2: Cebotaru has a shot deflected out for a corner.
90 min: Moldova are absolutely filthy, a team with no discipline whatsoever. Since going 3-1 down they have been disgusting, going for the man rather than the ball. This time Dedov stands on Walters’ chest, leading to an angry reaction from the Stoke man. Walters is booked for his reaction, while Gatcan is also shown a card for then squaring up. There will be four minutes added on.
89 min: Bugaev’s next piece of action is to go up for an aerial battle with Duffy. The Irish defender comes off worse, landing awkwardly on his arm. He receives some attention but is fit enough to continue.
88 min: Bugaev slides in from behind on Coleman. That will be a yellow for the Moldova attacker.
87 min: McClean, in search of his hat-trick, takes it. And fails to threaten.
86 min: O’Kane comes on for Hoolahan, who was very good at times tonight. Ireland have a free kick to come in a tasty position after a foul on Meyler.
85 min: Ireland are killing some time, playing the ball across the back. Moldova are’t putting any pressure on them either.
84 min: Moldova’s final change – Sidorenco is on for Andronic.
82 min: It’s getting a bit dirty and cynical now. Bolohan and McClean get stuck in, with the latter earning a free kick. Then Bolohan has some afters with Meyler.
81 min: Hull’s David Meyler is on for McCarthy.
80 min: Cojocari is booked for a stupid tackle on McClean, who reacts quite angrily. It’s late, high and not neccesary.
78 min: Dusan Tadic has put Serbia back in front against Austria in what seems to be a thriller. So, as it stands, Ireland and Serbia will be on top with seven, Wales will be third on five points and Austria a further point back.
76 min: That should be that. Coleman throws the ball to Hoolahan who nutmegs Dedov before passing it back to the captain. Coleman spots McClean free in the area, plants a pinpoint cross and it is finished off well by the West Brom player.
75 min: Walters is fouled again, this time by Golovatenco. Ireland should be able to see this game out. Moldova look to be tiring.
72 min: Posmac fouls Walters, who is now playing as a striker up top since Long went off injured. Hoolahan’s free-kick is met by the head of Duffy, who sneds it wide.
70 min: … and just after typing that, Ireland are ahead. McCarthy hits a poor, scuffed shot but it fortunately falls into the path of McClean. He turns well and sends a neat low finish past Calancea.
68 min: Austria have made it 2-2 in Serbia, Janko drawing them level for the second time. An Ireland goal would put O’Neill’s top of the group – not that they’d deserve it on the evidence of their performance since half time.
65 min: O’Dowda’s first act is a cross from the left that finds McClean at the back post. His header is poor.
64 min: This is dire. Bring back club football.
62 min: Shane Long is gone down clutching his hamstring and will be taken off. He had tweaked it late in the game against Georgia but was considered fit to continue. Callum O’Dowda is making his competitive debut in his place. Moldova make a change, too, Eugeniu Cebotaru entering the fray for Zasavitchi.
60 min: Dedov forces Randolph into conceding a corner.
59 min: Ireland are coming back into the game more. Ward almost finds McClean with a cross from the left.
57 min: A deflected Long cross drops in front of Hoolahan but he meets fresh air when swiping in the vague direction of Moldova’s goal.
56 min: McCarthy fouls Posmac near halfway.
53 min: Walters finds McClean with a cross from the right but the West Brom winger’s header is saved by Calancea. Then Hoolahan dribbles forward and shoots straight at the keeper.
52 min: Ireland have become stationary. Whelan has the ball in midfield but with no options for a simple pass ends up playing a diagonal ball into touch.
49 min: Coleman cynically drags down Dedov and earns the first booking of the match. Ireland have sunk into their shells here.
47 min: A positive start from Moldova. Bolohan’s shot from 25 yards is smothered by Randolph.
46 min: Moldova get us going. Can they spring a surprise or will Ireland come away with the win?
Ireland have dominated and looked a level above for 45 minutes but Moldova are level thanks to that tidy Bugaev finish, capitalising on a lapse in concentration from the away defence.
45 min +1: In the first of two minutes added on the hosts have equalised with their first chance. Bugaev has scored his first international goal in five years but it is terrible from Ireland. Gatcan plays a ball forward towards the striker and with the visitors’ back four near the halfway line, the striker is too quick for Duffy and he finished calmly, low into Randolph’s bottom left corner.
45 min: McClean shoots disappointingly over. And Calancea, prone to a comedy error, kicks the goal kick into touch. That’s the second time.
44 min: Gatcan fouls Walters in a dangerous position, straight in front of goal about 25 yards out.
43 min: Hoolahan has been immense. His next act is to send a lovely L1+∆ pass to McClean who shoots narrowly wide under pressure.
42 min: Moldova win a corner. Andronic puts too much juice on it, though, and Ireland clear. The hosts are coming into the game now. Can they fashion something before the break?
38 min: Huge excitement for Moldova as they win a free kick just inside Ireland’s half. Andronic sends it in and Bugaev tries an overhead kick. He fails to connect.
37 min: Mitrovic has put Serbia back in front at home to Austria. It’s now 2-1 in Belgrade.
36 min: Hoolahan takes a short free kick to Whelan. His shot is blocked and Moldova break, half-heartedly.