Ireland player ratings: Ogbene and Smallbone best in green as familiar hurt remains
Inpho No Ryan Ireland's Byrne, Pic: Joy: Dejected Will Smallbone
The Liverpool goalkeeper was less hectic than on Saturday evening but he was nowhere near Fotis Ioannidis’ long-range opening goal as the familiar problem of conceding from far out haunted Ireland once again.
Made a couple of decent interceptions early on and he was harshly booked for dragging Christos Tzolis to the floor half an hour in. Kostas Tsimikas was booked for stepping on his ankle near the hour mark.
Captain in the absence of Seamus Coleman produced one quietly impressive tackle on halfway to steal the ball from the toes of Ioannidis but allowed the striker too much space to drop deep for his goal and he was then turned inside out for Greece’s second.
Having barely touched the ball against England, he was far more prominent here. Alert to clear danger with one notable interception. Equally culpable with Collins for Greece’s opener.
Lucky to avoid a first-half yellow card with two hefty challenges on Anastasios Chatzigiovannis. Found himself deep in conversation with Heimir Hallgrimsson at one point around how to advance the ball forward more efficiently.
Thought he had broken the deadlock in spectacular fashion but was correctly flagged for offside. Typically busy on the right wing but was not offered much freedom by a well-drilled Greece defence.
Neat, tidy passing and produced a clever diagonal pass to find Ogbene in the lead-up to the Corkman’s scratched-off goal. But he needs to produce that type of creativity so much more regularly.
Kept getting himself into good positions when the game was still scoreless. Scuffed at a half chance at the end of a decent move that was blocked by Andreas Bouchalakis and sent a much clearer effort over approaching the interval.
Diligent off the ball, sought to push forward when possible. A solid performance without ever looking capable of producing a game-changing moment. Misjudged a header from a good position after being teed up by Ogbene.
More advanced role, operating as the link between midfield and Szmodics, seemed to suit him and he knitted together a couple of decent passing moves.
Moved deeper when Molumby was taken off and erred with his first touch when in a prime position entering final 10 minutes.
Offered a bunch of runs into space but too often the pass never arrived and no surprise he became more involved when Evan Ferguson came on and the Ipswich man was offered more freedom to drop deep.
On to loud cheers but clear he is nowhere near his sharpest after injury.
Not on long enough to be rated.
Not on long enough to be rated.
Not on long enough to be rated.
Not on long enough to be rated.
Mark Travers, Max O'Leary, Callum O'Dowda, Jake O'Brien, Festy Ebosele, Liam Scales, Troy Parrott.