Wales remain unbeaten in the League of Nations after drowning in a lifeless goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland.
The vague first half was the main point for Wales after Republic goalkeeper Darren Randolph bundled Ethan Empadu.
No team produced a real chance until the 55th minute, moving closer to the Republican Shen Long trash can.
James McLean was sent off for the hosts after two yellow cards after a quick retreat at the end of the game and, although Wales searched hopefully for a late winning goal, neither side deserved to win a well-known forgettable encounter.
Wales are top of Group B4 with a trip to Bulgaria on Wednesday, after winning their first two matches of the Nations League campaign.
But they will be without striker Keefer Moore at Sofia – who has been a suspect for the game with a bruised toe – Cardiff City’s goalkeeper made a yellow card to speed up the suspension.
Although the Republic is still in search of its first victory, it was in some ways a commendable effort given that Stephen Kenny’s men had to argue with the withdrawal of five players on the morning of the game and now have to go to Finland on Wednesday.
Wales are unbeaten – but unbelievable
With two wins from their opening two fixers against Finland and Bulgaria, Wales traveled to Dublin with confidence for their fifth meeting with the Republic in three years.
Thursday Friendly loss to England 3-0 Manager Ryan Giggs rested the game with a selection of Harry Wilson and Daniel James, while Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey returned to the starting line-up as captain as one of four changes from the match at Wembley.
After a start at the empty Aviva Stadium, visitors made a shot at the target as Vinson’s curling effort from the edge of the penalty area was accelerated by Randolph.
The Irish goalkeeper was lucky enough to accept a penalty five minutes later, he dropped the cross and then clapped to Empadu, who hit him into the ball.
Referee Anastasius Sidiropoulos ignored Wales’ opposition, and did so when he appealed for a handball after Rams hit shots Shane Duffy and Cyrus Christie.
The latter was frustrated with the penalty appeal as Wales were frustrated by the inability to play against a strong and streamlined Irish team with an offensive current.
As he wore on the second half, with a lack of search and purpose on his side, Giggs turned to his bench and brought in David Brooks, Dylan Levitt and Neko Williams, who made the injury-time winner as substitutes against Bulgaria last month.
On this occasion, however, there is no imaginary interference from anywhere in Wales.
This was another candid demonstration and a reminder of how Giggs’ side could be attacked. Out of all the teams that will qualify for Euro 2020, no one has made less in qualifying than his team.
And while this was a typical performance, with Wednesday’s game in Bulgaria – and a home match against Republic and Finland in November – Wales are still in control of their Nations League group.
Republic calculated Covid-19 costs
Things could get worse for the Republic, whose preparations were heavily disrupted in the morning of the game Five of his players refused One of them tested positive for coronavirus.
Aaron Connolly and Adam Ida have already been ruled out due to the Covid-19 issue – withdrawing shortly after Thursday’s Euro 2020 play-off semi-final defeat to Slovakia – while David McGoldrick and James McCarthy are also out due to injuries. Were.
All of this was particularly unhealthy as the Irish morale was low after Slovakia lost the shootout and their Nations League campaign got off to a poor start, which saw a draw in Bulgaria before losing to Finland.
Given the upheaval they had endured in the past, Kenny and his side would have been satisfied with such an unbearable start to the game.
Robbie Bruber D was the only player in the first half to be threatened with a whipping attempt, who just blew a huge whistle, and until the 55th minute he didn’t get a chance to score properly on either side.
It was created by Anda Stevens on the left side of the republic, who was clipping a beautiful cross going forward with the long-trapped Welsh keeper Wayne Hennessy.
If the Irish felt they were able to pinch the winning target in the end, the hopes were lost by booking Klein Connor Roberts for a tripping and then, just moments later, picking up another yellow card for a wild lung, those hopes were dashed. On Ampadu.
McClean protested his innocence but it was a lost cause, the draw left Republic on two points from three games and now probably focused on keeping his place in the second tier of the Nations League.
The player of the match
RamsayAaron Ramsey
Republic of Ireland
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Squad number4Player nameDuffy
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Squad number13Player nameHendrick
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Squad number22Player nameMolambi
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Squad number2Player nameRepeat
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Squad number23Player nameRandolph
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Squad number3Player nameStevens
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Squad number9Player nameLong
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Squad number17Player nameHorgan
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Squad number10Player nameBrady
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Squad number18Player nameMaguire
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Squad number6Player nameHaurihane
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Squad number19Player nameCullen
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Squad number20Player nameChristie
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Squad number14Player nameLong
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Squad number11Player nameMcLean
Wales
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Squad number10Player nameRamsay
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Squad number.Player nameHennessy
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Squad number4Player nameDavies
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Squad number3Player nameAnn Williams
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Squad number15Player nameAmpadu
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Squad number14Player nameRoberts
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Squad number6Player nameRoden
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Squad number7Player nameH. Wilson
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Squad number16Player nameMorrell
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Squad number17Player nameBrooks
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Squad number20Player nameJames
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Squad number19Player nameSmith
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Squad number18Player nameLevitt
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Squad number13Player nameMoore
Line-ups
R. of Ireland
- 23Randolph
- 2Repeat
- 4Duffy
- 14LongSubstitute forChristieOn 25 ‘MinutesBooked at 30 minutes
- 3Stevens
- 22MolambiSubstitute forCullenOn 90 ‘Minutes
- 6Haurihane
- 10BradySubstitute forHorganOn 73 ‘Minutes
- 13Hendrick
- 11McLeanBooked at 83mins
- 9LongSubstitute forMaguireOn 74 ‘Minutes
Substitute
- .By
- 16Kalehar
- 17Horgan
- 18Maguire
- 19Cullen
- 20Christie
- 21Byron
Wales
- .Hennessy
- 14Roberts
- 15Ampadu
- 6Roden
- 4Davies
- 7H. WilsonSubstitute forAnn WilliamsOn 67 ‘Minutes
- 19SmithSubstitute forLevittOn 67 ‘Minutes
- 16MorrellBooked at 83mins
- 20JamesSubstitute forBrooksOn 77 ‘Minutes
- 10Ramsay
- 13MooreBooked at 20 minutes
Substitute
- 2Gunter
- 3Ann Williams
- 5Kabango
- 8Williams
- 9Roberts
- 11Matondo
- 12Ward
- 17Brooks
- 18Levitt
- 21Davies
- 22Norrington-Davis
- 23Walks
- Referee:
- Anastasios Sidirop ou los
Live text
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Match ends, Republic of Ireland 0, Wales 0.
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The second half ends, Republic of Ireland 0, Wales 0.
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Corner, Wales. Followed by Cyrus Christie.
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Shane Duffy (Republic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Kaifer Moore (Wales).
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Substitute, Republic of Ireland. Josh Cullen replaces Jason Molumbi due to injury.
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Wrong by Cyrus Christie (Republic of Ireland).
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Ben Davis (Wales) wins a left-wing free kick.
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Attempt saved. David Brooks (Wales) left foot shot from outside the box is saved in the middle of the goal. Assisted by Connor Roberts.
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Hand ball by Sean Maguire (Republic of Ireland).
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Mor Morrell (Wales) is shown a yellow card.
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Another James McClean (Republic) yellow card for bad objections.
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James McClean (Republic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Dylan Levitt (Wales).
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Attempt saved. Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) Right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top center of the goal. Assisted by Sean Maguire.
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Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ben Davis (Wales).
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James McClean (Republic of Ireland) has been shown a yellow card for bad intentions.
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Wrong by James McClean (Republic of Ireland).
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Connor Roberts (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.