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Republic of Ireland Captain Shane Duffy left him late to ensure that Stephen Kenny’s first game in charge did not end in a loss as his team fought back to secure a 1-1 draw in the Nations League. Bulgaria.
Kenny’s side looked destined to end in a disappointing loss in Group B4 until central defender Duffy, who this week sealed a loan to Celtic Brighton, finished off his fourth international goal at home in the third minute of stoppage time in Sofia.
In the process, he canceled Bozhidar Kraev’s opener in the 56th minute at Vail Levski Stadium, and will have been relieved to have had to bear some of the blame.
It was no more than Ireland deserved on a night when a renewed team promised a lot, but it looked like it would fall short when preparations began for next month’s Euro 2020 play-off in Slovakia.
Rookie Adam Idah, 19, made some nice touches and an impressive bonding game, while former under-21 international Aaron Connolly and Callum O’Dowda caused trouble for the Bulgarians. Ireland were enjoying the best of the game without creating chances despite Connolly and O’Dowda seeing encouraging amounts of the ball, and were working hard to pin the Bulgarians deep in their own field for long periods.
However, at 11 minutes into the second half, Todor Nedelev had time and space to slip a pass between central defenders Duffy and John Egan for Kraev to shoot through Randolph’s legs. But Duffy, who rescued the Republic in death when he rose to hit a head butt down the net from Brady’s injury time corner to snatch a tie.
In the other games on Thursday, Ukraine have the early lead in Group A4 after Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win over Switzerland. José Luis Gayà Struck beats for Spain draw with Germany in the other party of the group.
Artem Dzyuba struck twice to Russia in a comfortable 3-1 win Serbia in their first match in Group B3. Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrović had scored 2-1 in the 78th minute before Dzyuba responded three minutes later to put the match out of reach. Free-kick by Dominik Szoboszlai Hungary a 1-0 win over Turkey in the other group game.
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The first round of Group C3 ended with honors even across the board, after Moldova drew 1-1 with Kosovo and Slovenia ended scoreless against Greece.
Brandur Hendriksson Olsen scored a late winner to give Faroe Islands a 3-2 win over malt. They are now the flashy leaders in Group D1 after Latvia and Andorra played a goalless draw.
