Ireland victory keeps direct qualification chance alive

The Republic of Ireland will face Wales on Monday with direct World cup qualification still possible after 2 Daryl Murphy goals sealed triumph over Moldova.

Serbia, that experienced a last-gasp 3-2 defeat by Austria, lead Wales by just a point, with the Irish a further factor adrift and also only Monday’s Team D fixtures continuing to be.

After Wales’s triumph in Georgia earlier on Friday, the Republic needed to win as well as were always in control after Murphy volleyed the opener after two mins in Dublin.

The 8 ideal second-placed groups from the 9 groups go into the play-offs, and also success in Cardiff will guarantee Martin O’Neill’s side 2nd place.

Nonetheless, if Serbia lose at home to Georgia, the Republic – placed 34th on the planet – would top the group with success over Wales.

Republic employer Martin O’Neill introduced on Thursday that he had concurred a new two-year agreement, as well as Friday’s outcome keeps alive his hopes of a 2nd successful qualifying project.

O’Neill created something of a surprise manuallying a first affordable start to Callum O’Dowda but the Bristol City winger vindicated his option with an energetic and also skilful display.

With James McClean suspended, O’Dowda, 22, was chosen to the much more knowledgeable Aiden McGeady and also his peace in ownership as well as solid running provided the Republic a different innovative electrical outlet to Wes Hoolahan.

In between Murphy’s objectives, a great O’Dowda run and also pass set up a remarkable opportunity squandered by Shane Long.

O’Dowda’s display suggests he should be in opinion to keep his location in Cardiff regardless of McClean and Brady returning from suspension.

With Jonathan Walters inaccessible because of injury, Murphy was selected to partner Long in assault.

The Nottingham Forest demonstrator’s second international objective – volleyed house after Moldova cannot deal with a Stephen Ward long throw – was the perfect beginning for the Irish.

Murphy produced a flawlessly positioned looping header to offer the Republic breathing space after Hoolahan’s spectacular angled sphere was adhered to by Ward’s cross to the back article.