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Chiedozie Ogbene missed a great chance for the Republic when he fired a free header over the bar in first-half stoppage timeThe Republic of Ireland's Nations League campaign began in deeply disappointing fashion as they fell to a surprise defeat by Armenia in Yerevan.
Eduard Spertsyan scored the only goal, beating Republic keeper Caoimhin Kelleher with a rasping drive from distance 16 minutes from time.
Chiedozie Ogbene squandered the visitors' best chance, misjudging a free header in first-half injury time.
The result extends the Republic's winless run in the Nations League.
It is now 11 games without victory in the competition, having scored just two goals in the process, and with three difficult games against Ukraine and Scotland to come over the next 10 days in Group B1.
An eight-game unbeaten run prior to Saturday's match, including creditable draws at home to Portugal and Belgium, had lifted the mood around the Republic after a difficult start to Stephen Kenny's reign.
However, this result will likely attract further criticism after Kenny's side were stunned by a team ranked 92nd in the world in a game that stirred memories of last year's embarrassing World Cup qualifying defeat by Luxembourg.
The Irish were expected to overpower an Armenia team that lost 9-0 to Norway in their last outing in March, but Kenny's side found the going tough against a resilient defensive unit led impressively by captain Varazdat Haroyan.
Having ridden waves of Irish pressure in the first half, Armenia appeared rejuvenated upon the resumption with the lively Tigran Barseghyan's goal ruled out after Hovhannes Hambardzumyan had strayed offside before supplying the assist.
Barseghyan also curled an effort just wide from distance but the Republic did not heed the warning and were punished when Spertsyan was given time to turn and shoot from 25 yards, his shot going in off Kelleher's right-hand post.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Armenia
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Yurchenko
- 19Hambardzumyan
- 15Mkoyan
- 3Haroyan
- 2HovhannisyanSubstituted forMkrtchyanat 61'minutesBooked at 86mins
- 13Hovhannisyan
- 7Bayramyan
- 5Grigoryan
- 8Spertsyan
- 11BarseghyanSubstituted forDashyanat 89'minutes
- 23BichakhchyanSubstituted forAdamyanat 56'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Voskanyan
- 6Angulo
- 9Babayan
- 10Harutyunyan
- 12Avagyan
- 14Monroy
- 16Beglaryan
- 17Udo
- 18Serobyan
- 20Dashyan
- 21Mkrtchyan
- 22Adamyan
R. of Ireland
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Kelleher
- 12Collins
- 4DuffyBooked at 9mins
- 5Egan
- 2ColemanSubstituted forKeaneat 81'minutes
- 13HendrickBooked at 83mins
- 6CullenSubstituted forBrowneat 81'minutes
- 3StevensSubstituted forMcCleanat 73'minutes
- 20Ogbene
- 7RobinsonSubstituted forKnightat 73'minutes
- 10ParrottSubstituted forObafemiat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Hourihane
- 9Keane
- 11McClean
- 14Browne
- 15Molumby
- 16Bazunu
- 17Knight
- 18O'Shea
- 19Obafemi
- 21Hamilton
- 22Christie
- 23Travers
Referee:Radu Marian Petrescu
Live Text
Match ends, Armenia 1, Republic of Ireland 0.
Second Half ends, Armenia 1, Republic of Ireland 0.
Substitution, Armenia. Artak Dashyan replaces Tigran Barseghyan.
Attempt missed. John Egan (Republic of Ireland) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jeff Hendrick with a cross following a set piece situation.
Rudik Mkrtchyan (Armenia) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Chiedozie Ogbene (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Rudik Mkrtchyan (Armenia).
Hand ball by James McClean (Republic of Ireland).
Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland).
Tigran Barseghyan (Armenia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland).
Kamo Hovhannisyan (Armenia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Will Keane replaces Séamus Coleman.
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Alan Browne replaces Josh Cullen.
Foul by Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland).
Tigran Barseghyan (Armenia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Rudik Mkrtchyan (Armenia) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
Attempt missed. Sargis Adamyan (Armenia) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Hovhannes Hambardzumyan.
Goal! Armenia 1, Republic of Ireland 0. Eduard Spertsyan (Armenia) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
English (US)