Republic of Ireland embarrassed by Luxembourg and Gerson Rodrigues

Stephen Kenny said he did not want another gallant defeat. This historic ignominy was not what he had in mind. Gerson Rodrigues’s fierce long-range goal five minutes from time earned Luxembourg a famous win that leaves Ireland’s World Cup qualification ambitions hanging by the skimpiest of threads and Kenny under heavy pressure. His record as manager reads: played 10, won 0.Kenny has been unlucky, never able to field a full-strength side, but Luxembourg, ranked 98th in the world, are the lowest-calibre opponents he has faced and were supposed to be the side against whom he oversaw his first win. Instead Ireland flopped to a new low, with defeat the consequence of a grim performance. Meagre skill, not much zest. Whereas there were positives amid Wednesday’s loss in Serbia, this was an unvarnished flop. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/27/republic-of-ireland-luxembourg-world-cup-qualifying-match-report #world_cup_2022_qualifiers #republic_of_ireland #luxembourg #football #sport