Caoimhín Kelleher: Yet again, a goal finds its way into the net from outside the box – a situation that’s happened repeatedly with Kelleher. While he did deflect a strike that was heading wide in the first half, it seemed more cautionary than necessary. His performance earns a 5.
Andrew Omobamidele: Tasked with playing an unusual role as right-back after a gaming hiatus, he coped relatively well, particularly against the formidable Tsimikas. However, his performance was lacking in conviction when in the offensive role alongside Ogbene during Ireland’s offensive plays. He also receives a rating of 5.
Dara O’Shea: His sluggishness in the lead up to the first goal, allowing Greek striker Ioannidis the freedom to control and shoot unfettered, was a glaring fault. His defensive passing also caused problems for Ireland on multiple occasions. He shares a score of 5 with his teammates.
Nathan Collins: Collins’ misdirected header was the catalyst for the first Greek goal. This error was made worse by his failure to completely control his backline during the move, providing Fotis Ioannidis with space at the edge of the box. He was caught chasing the game for the second goal. He only garners a 4 for his efforts.
Alan Browne: Despite finding himself well-placed on multiple occasions in the first half, his attempts did result in a challenge for the keeper. He provided a neat but non-threatening presence for most of the match but lost his marking at a critical stage for the second goal. His contribution is rewarded with a 5.
Robbie Brady: Brady’s robust tackling and interception skills were on high display, deterring threats down the Irish left. His aggressive approach did not, however, translate to an aggressive offensive play, regardless of Hallgrímsson’s direction. Nonetheless, it was a solid performance from him, warranting a rating of 6, even though a left back role does not seem his ideal position.
Jayson Molumby: With restored confidence on the pitch, his performance evoked elements of a prime Glenn Hoddle. Known for his tenacity in close exchanges, he also made some excellent plays to initiate Ireland’s offensive moves. His early substitution for Ferguson seemed unjust compared to the performance of others. He earns a 6 for his performance.
Will Smallbone delivered a commendable performance on the field, frequently interacting with Ogbene and Browne, and consistently presenting a positive, probing influence. However, his attentiveness was lacking in crucial moments, such as the lead up to the first goal. He earns a rating of 6.
Chiedozie Ogbene’s first half goal, albeit ruled offside, was certainly one for the books. Unfortunately, his positioning often seemed too deep and he struggled to break through the Greek defence, which drags his rating down to a 5.
Jason Knight gave a solid effort in the midfield and, although seeming a bit taken aback when an opportunity presented itself, was able to move forward for a headed chance. His frustration was evident when Ireland fell behind, leading to an unwarranted yellow card. His rating stands at 6.
In the role of the lone striker, Sammie Szmodics performed with zeal and displayed a clear intelligence on the field. Despite needing a bit more backup during pressing, he made several attempts including a long-range lob and a hastily taken snapshot. His energetic presence brought plenty of advantages, earning him a rating of 6.
The substitutes, inclusive of Evan Ferguson, Kasey McAteer and Matt Doherty, offered little to the game. Callum Robinson was inches away from scoring but missed, while Adam Idah was virtually invisible. The overall lack of impact from the substitutes left them with a rating of 4.
Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson seemed optimistic during the first-half, only to see morale and performance dwindle after the initial goal. With no clear strategy for scoring and unsuccessful substitutions, his own rating fell to a 4.