Givens criticises 'below-par' U21s
Don Givens criticised his under-21 players for a “below--par” performance after they slumped to a disappointing defeat in their opening European Championship qualifier here this afternoon.
Senior team boss Mick McCarthy watched only the first half as Ireland’s hopes were sunk in the Torpedo Stadium before leaving to take charge of the senior team.
But by then it was all over as the Russians hit Ireland with two goals in a minute.
Roman Pavluchenko fired Russia ahead from close range in the 28th minute after Spartak Gogniev nodded down a cross from Dmitri Kudriashov.
Ireland had hardly recovered when Alan Kusov scored a fine solo goal after 29 minutes, turning on the edge of the box and firing past Joe Murphy.
However, only some heroics from West Brom goalkeeper Murphy kept the score down and he was the one player who escaped criticism from Givens.
“I am disappointed not just with the result but by the level of the performance of the team,” said Givens.
“It was a dreadful display and we made the Russians look good.
“I don’t know where that performance came from, but it was far below what these guys are capable of and I cannot understand how so many were out of sorts - even their decision-making was poor.
“I don’t think anyone other than our goalkeeper Joe Murphy came out of the game with any credit.”
Ireland might have been two goals up before their hosts scored. Arsenal striker Graham Barrett pounced on a poor clearance after only six minutes but fired over the bar.
Then Stockport’s Ben Burgess saw his header saved after 18 minutes, following a free-kick from Shelbourne’s Wes Houlihan.
The youngsters were outplayed in the second half and Murphy came to the rescue with good saves to deny both Gogniev and Kudriashov.
Ireland will be hoping to put things right in their next qualifier, at home to Switzerland next month.
