SEAMUS COLEMAN SAYS that wins were all that mattered for the Republic of Ireland this week following a 3-1 win over Moldova tonight.
Coleman netted the winner in Thursday’s unconvincing 1-0 win over Georgia in Dublin and the Killybegs man excellent again here as Martin O’Neill’s men made sometimes hard work of an away win.
It ought, perhaps, to have been more comfortable, but Coleman said otherwise after playing a key role as Ireland took the win thanks to James McClean’s second-half brace and the opening goal by Shane Long.
Ireland were pegged back when Igor Bugaev netted an equaliser for Moldova.
[adrotate group=”80″]“We gave away a sloppy goal on half-time and we were very naïve to be left open like we were,” Ireland captain Coleman said.
“We knew this would be a tough battle. They had their tails up and we had to grind it out. James took his goals very well and we’ve come out of here with three points – that’s all that matters.”
Georgia drew 1-1 with Wales in Cardiff this evening while Serbia defeated Austria, who Ireland face in Vienna next month.
[adrotate group=”38″]“Fans and media against Georgia might like to have seen us win more convincingly, but Georgia are a very good side,” Coleman said.
“All that mattered to us was six points. We can do better at times and we’ll look to improve again for the Austria game.”
Coleman did well for Ireland’s first goal tonight, keeping the ball in play and getting Ireland out from deep. McClean fed Wes Hoolahan and he slipped through for Long to score.
Coleman provided the cross for the second of McClean’s second-half brace and Dietmar Hamann, speaking as an analyst on RTÉ 2, was full of praise for Coleman after his display in the Stadionul Zimbru in Chisinau.
[adrotate group=”82″]“He’s been excellent,” Hamann said. “There was talk during the Euros when he took over as captain if it would affect his game. Tonight, he was exceptional. He is very solid and gives very little away.
“There aren’t too many full-backs around in European football like him. He has everything – he can defend and he gives and extra dimension going forward.”
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