Ireland boss reflects on Armenia defeat and calls for reaction
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has broken his silence on last month’s shock 2-1 defeat to Armenia, describing it as a game where “nothing clicked.”
The result left Ireland’s World Cup hopes in serious jeopardy. After three weeks of reflection, Hallgrimsson said he has struggled to pinpoint what went wrong.
He accepted responsibility for the result but stopped short of blaming himself for the performance.
“In Armenia, the reason why we didn’t perform is hard to point out, one single thing,” he said.
“We thought before this game we had a really good preparation. But it didn’t seem to change anything… Nothing clicked in this game.”
Frustration over performance
Hallgrimsson explained that his side lost rhythm early and never recovered.
“We never could string together four or five passes. We never got into our attacking positions,” he said.
“When we lost it, we were open and that’s where they did hurt us.”
He ruled out excuses about travel, weather, or the pitch, saying preparation had been good.
“I wouldn’t point at me and say, this was my fault. But obviously, I’m picking the players. I take responsibility on that performance.”
Focus turns to Portugal and Armenia
The Icelandic coach named a similar squad for the upcoming double-header against Portugal and Armenia, insisting he still believes in his players.
“It was a one-off, hopefully, a one-off in Armenia,” he said. “The players will relish this camp to answer for Armenia.”
Hallgrimsson added that three points are the minimum in the home fixture.
“We need persons and players and staff to believe in what we are doing,” he said.
“Look at this game as a challenge and an opportunity against Portugal to restore dignity, pride, confidence in the team.”
