Gibraltar continued their impressive run of performances last night, as they battled and frustrated an under-pressure Republic of Ireland side at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland, who came into the tie above Gibraltar only on goal difference, were in need of the 3 points in order to kickstart their campaign, however, Julio Ribas and his Gibraltar outfit made it more than difficult for the home side in front of a raucous crowd.
Missing 4 key starters in the form of Graeme Torrila, Liam Walker, Julian Valarino and Lee Casciaro, Ribas opted to again start the youthful pairing of Nicholas Pozo and Niels Hartman in the heart of midfield, flanked either side by Ethan Britto and Kian Ronan.
The young Gibraltar side almost got off to the worst possible start in the opening minute, however, Dayle Coleing, who himself would go on to have a busy game in between the sticks, stood fast and was able to deny Ireland.
In fact, Ireland would continue to press and harry Gibraltar, especially down either flank as they looked to get in behind and fizz the ball in towards their big number 7, Evan Ferguson of Brighton & Hove Albion.
James McLean in particular, who making his 100th appearance for Ireland, proved to be a constant threat down the left wing, with the former Premier League star looking determined to be the catalyst for his side's eventual victory.
Gibraltar would effectively halt the Irish attack throughout the entirety of the first half, however, unfortunately, Ribas’ men would find themselves losing talismanic captain, Roy Chipolina, towards the end of the half, as the veteran central defender was forced off.
Gibraltar would nonetheless hold out until the second half, when on came Tjay De Barr and Scott Wiseman as Ribas looked to press ahead.
Wiseman in fact, came in to complete his 38th and final appearance for Gibraltar, as he called time on a historic career that begun all the way back in 2013, in a 0-0 draw with Slovakia in Gibraltar’s first ever official friendly as UEFA members.
Unfortunately for Wiseman and Gibraltar, Ireland would eventually take the lead after an enormous slice of luck saw a free-kick deflect off the wall, wrongfooting Coleing in the process, and landing at the feet of Mikey Johnstone to tap into the empty net.
Ireland, buoyed on by the opening goal, would quickly make it two, as McLean broke free down the wing once again to setup Ferguson, who made it 2-0 with a clinical header into the bottom corner.
Although 2-0 down, Gibraltar were by no means dead and buried, and in fact almost pulled a goal back in rapid fashion, as Niels Hartman tested Gavin Bazunu following a Gibraltar corner.
Gibraltar’s response was not the only positive for Ribas and his men, as there was also a debut on the cards for Scott Balantine, who, having been called up to the Men’s National Team Squad on various occasions prior, was finally given the chance to impress with 20 minutes to go.
Unfortunately for Gibraltar however, they would eventually concede a third goal in injury time, this time through Adam Idah, who again latched onto a McLean cross to make it 3-0.
The goal would prove to be the last of the match, as Ireland ran out 3-0 winners much to the relief of the home crowd at the Aviva Stadium.
Despite the result, there was plenty of positives for Gibraltar to take moving forward, none more so than the introduction of new players to the squad and the impressive performances of their young stars.
Gibraltar are next in action in September, when they take on Greece in Athens on National Day!
