Greece inflict more misery on struggling Ireland

An improved performance, but ultimately another losing one as Ireland were beaten 2-0 by Greece in tonight's UEFA Nations League encounter at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland appeared to be in control following an assured first-half display, but ultimately Heimir Hallgrimsson's side were undone by goals at either end of the second half.

Fotis Ioannidis opened the scoring with a fine effort four minutes after the break, before an 87th-minute Christos Tzolis strike sealed the points for the visitors as Ireland open their campaign with back-to-back defeats to kick-off the new manager’s tenure.

There was a curiosity about Hallgrimsson’s selection ahead of the game, and only at kick-off would it become apparent as to how exactly he had sent his charges into battle.

Initial inspections would suggest that Andrew Omobamidele was asked to play at right back in a kind of 4-4-1-1 unit with Chiedozie Ogbene on the right of a four-man midfield. Alan Browne and Jayson Molumby sat in the heart of midfield, while Will Smallbone began just behind striker Sammie Szmodics.

But it was the visitors who went straight on the attack in the opening minute as Kostas Tsimikas raced forward before delivering a fine ball into the box, which was cleared by Collins.

Greece were noticeably attempting to exploit space with quick, cross-field deliveries with wide men hugging both flanks, however, nothing really troubled the home side in the opening 10 minutes with Ireland looking considerably more comfortable on the ball than they had against England.