Mexico 3 Republic of Ireland 1
Really it is all about Sunday week and the Austrians, but Martin O’Neill’s men got a bit of a chasing in New Jersey in the early hours of Friday morning.
The Republic of Ireland manager named an inexperienced team for the friendly with Mexico and saw it comprehensively dismantled in the MetLife Stadium.
BREAKING: James McClean captains the Ireland team with 1st international starts for Daryl Horgan and Callum O'Dowda. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/TXGvQk3xf2
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 1, 2017
With the callow and inexperienced Callum O’Dowda and Daryl Horgan playing out of position in a three-man midfield alongside Conor Hourihane, Ireland were dominated in the opening half.
The Mexicans owned the ball for long periods of the first period, with captain Hector Moreno and the opening goal-scorer Jesus Corona linking up beautifully and exploiting the spaces left by an Irish team unfamiliar with their 3-5-2 formation.
Mexico’s first goal came from an Irish corner as the Mexicans gambled on the counter and won – set free by a Jorge Hernandez through ball, Corona slammed the ball into the top corner, making up for an earlier miss.
16: GOAL!
Mexico 1-0 @FAIreland.
Lightning counter-attack from Mexico and Corona with a fabulous finish! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/65D4ibcQ53— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 2, 2017
Seven minutes later they had the chance to double their lead when Ireland captain James McClean fouled Carlos Vela – booked for shoving the Mexico attacker in the back. Raul Jimenez made no mistake, waiting for Darren Randolph to dive to his left before placing his shot.
25: GOAL!
Mexico 2-0 Ireland.
Jimenez doubles Mexico's lead after James McClean gave away a penalty. pic.twitter.com/JzQjLHUKEi— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 2, 2017
Having started brightly, particularly via Cyrus Christie on the right flank, Ireland drifted out of the game and struggled to retain possession… despite the odd moment of magic from Horgan, who was manfully battling in an unfamiliar central role.
Positives so far:
Daryl Horgan…#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/NFXRCUpedi— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 2, 2017
Unfortunately, it carried on in a similar vein after the break, Vela tapping in a third in the 55th minute after Randolph had made an excellent save.
54: GOAL!
Mexico 3-0 Ireland.
Carlos Vela taps in a third for Mexico. #MEXIRL pic.twitter.com/0U28vU4bGv— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 2, 2017
Former Dundalk winger Horgan was again the creator for Ireland as Daryl Murphy headed straight at keeper from a well-delivered corner.
60: CHANCE!
More good work from Horgan who sends in a pinpoint corner but Daryl Murphy's header is straight at the keeper. #COYBIG #IRLMEX pic.twitter.com/Mp8ezNivgP— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 2, 2017
As O’Neill rang the changes and switched to four at the back, there was a late consolation for Ireland, substitute Stephen Gleeson drilling home a low finish after some terrible Mexican defending.
76: GOAL!
Mexico 3-1 @FAIreland! (Gleeson).
Lovely finish from @gleeson_stephen just minutes after coming on! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/q0y1fGsLcF— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 2, 2017
Ireland face Uruguay in another friendly on Sunday at Aviva Stadium.
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