‘It was overdue’: Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny relieved after finally breaking his duck with Azerbaijan victory
- Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny finally got a win over the weekend
- Callum Robinson struck twice to beat Azerbaijan in Kenny’s 13th game
- Forward doubled their advantage with a deflected shot in the 39th minute
- Substitute Chiedozie Ogbene added the third in the final minute of normal time
It has been quite a wait but Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny finally has a competitive win at the 13th time of asking, even if it is far too late to think about the World Cup.
‘The win was overdue,’ admitted Kenny. ‘But that’s one defeat in our last seven games and that was a late Portugal goal from Ronaldo, so I feel we’re improving all the time.’
The Irish host Qatar in a friendly next and Chiedozie Ogbene, the Rotherham winger who scored a first senior goal for his country after coming off the bench in Baku, is feeling positive.
Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny finally has a competitive win at the 13th time of asking
Ogbene is one of seven players in the squad plying his trade in League One and he said: ‘I believe in myself, I believe in my abilities and I guess that I haven’t come here by luck. The manager obviously believes my qualities are valuable to the team.’
West Bromwich striker Callum Robinson was criticised before the game for revealing he had not been vaccinated against Covid-19, despite twice testing positive.
He responded by scoring a first-half double.
Republic of Ireland forward Callum Robinson scored twice in first-half against Azerbaijan