Captain Nathan Collins’ header gives Ireland victory over Qatar

By Damian Spellman, Press Association

Captain Nathan Collins headed the Republic of Ireland to a 1-0 friendly victory over World Cup-bound Qatar as both sides were reduced to 10 men.

Collins ensured Ireland got the better of a side managed by his former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui with an early header, although just how the evening might have panned out had Jack Moylan not been dismissed as half-time approached, a sparse crowd inside the Aviva Stadium will never know.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side, whose hopes of making it to the World Cup finals were dashed in heartbreaking fashion in March when they lost their play-off semi-final in the Czech Republic on penalties, were in complete control until Moylan’s premature exit, although Qatar substitute Almoez Ali suffered the same fate 12 minutes from time.

The game was played out against the backdrop on ongoing unease at the forthcoming Nations League clashes with Israel, and play was interrupted on several occasions during the first half as Stop the Game protesters among a crowd of 28,981 repeatedly hurled tennis balls on to the pitch.

Ireland will now head for Montreal and their friendly against World Cup co-hosts Canada on June 6th, while Qatar continue their preparations for the finals – they launch their Group B campaign against Switzerland in San Francisco on June 13th – against El Salvador in Los Angeles on the same day.

Ireland took the lead with just five minutes gone when, having been fouled by Ayoub Al-Oui wide on the left, Moylan curled the resulting free-kick on to the head of Collins, who glanced the ball effortlessly past keeper Mahmoud Abunada.

There was a brief interruption after the protesters made their presence felt for the first time as Qatar’s Pedro Miguel underwent treatment for injury, but once order had been restored, Troy Parrott whipped a first-time shot wide after being picked out by Seamus Coleman.

The Qataris simply could not get anywhere near Hallgrimsson’s men and a mid-half drinks break did little to improve matters for the visitors with Abunada having to field Jayson Molumby’s deflected 24th-minute shot from distance.

Lopetegui could not hide his frustration on the sideline and only the bravery of defender Ahmed Fathi denied Chiedozie Ogbene a second goal as he attempted to latch on to Liam Scales’ header back across goal.

But the home side’s night took a turn for the worse on the stroke of half-time when Northern Irish referee Jamie Robinson deemed Moylan’s challenge on Jassem Gaber worthy of a red card, much to the Lincoln frontman’s clear astonishment.

With defender James Abankwah having replaced Dara O’Shea at half-time, the 10 men found themselves under pressure for the first time on their return, although Coleman very nearly caught Abunada off his line with an audacious 52nd-minute attempt from the right wing.

Edmilson Junior dragged a long-range effort wide two minutes later after Molumby went down in midfield under Fathi’s challenge and it took a fine 71st-minute reaction save by Caoimhin Kelleher – his first of the night – to keep out Yusuf Abdurisag’s deflected shot.

However, Qatari hopes of salvation were dashed with 12 minutes remaining when Ali struck out at Molumby off the ball on several occasions and was also sent off.