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Callum Robinson's 13th-minute penalty doubled the Republic's lead at the Aviva StadiumIn-form Callum Robinson's hat-trick helped earn the Republic of Ireland a dominant 4-0 friendly win over World Cup hosts Qatar in Dublin.
After his double in Saturday's World Cup qualifier win in Azerbaijan, the West Brom man put the Republic ahead on four minutes with a deflected shot.
Robinson extended the Irish advantage nine minutes later from the penalty spot and hit his third on 53 minutes.
Shane Duffy rounded off the home win with a trademark 59th-minute header.
The Republic's energetic first-half display put them in firm control against a Qatar side that appeared low on confidence following their poor recent run of results.
Robinson's fourth-minute goal seemed to inject belief into Stephen Kenny's side as the striker exchanged passes with both Jamie McGrath and Conor Hourihane before his shot from just outside the penalty area clipped defender Bassam Hisham Alrawi to loop over keeper Meshaal Barsham.
With Robinson continually involved and Jeff Hendrick a dynamic presence in the Republic's midfield, the game was effectively put to bed by the 13th minute as the West Brom man converted his penalty after McGrath had been fouled.
Ominous signs for the World Cup hosts
Qatar's form has deteriorated badly since they lost their CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final 1-0 against USA in late July.
Since then they have suffer 4-0 thumpings against Serbia and the Republic in addition to 3-1 and 3-0 defeats by Portugal, with Felix Sanchez's side also involved in an uninspiring 1-1 in Luxembourg.
And while Qatar's Fifa ranking, at 43, is seven places above above the Irish, they were no match for Kenny's lively Republic side at the Aviva Stadium.
In contrast, Tuesday's result completed a highly satisfactory week for Kenny as the first competitive win of his tenure - at the 13th attempt - in Baku was followed by this emphatic victory.
Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher was one of five changes from the Azerbaijan contest but he scarcely had a save to make as Qatar offered virtually no threat.
More to follow.
Line-ups
R. of Ireland
Formation 3-4-3
- 16Kelleher
- 22Omobamidele
- 4DuffySubstituted forCollinsat 77'minutes
- 5Egan
- 2DohertySubstituted forChristieat 45'minutes
- 13Hendrick
- 8HourihaneSubstituted forArterat 88'minutes
- 3Stevens
- 20OgbeneSubstituted forKnightat 69'minutes
- 7RobinsonSubstituted forParrottat 78'minutes
- 18McGrathSubstituted forCollinsat 88'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Bazunu
- 6Arter
- 9Idah
- 10Parrott
- 11McClean
- 12Collins
- 14Christie
- 15Horgan
- 17Knight
- 19Collins
- 21Connolly
- 23Travers
Qatar
Formation 3-5-2
- 22Aissa Barsham
- 15Ali Al Rawi
- 5Suleiman Odeh
- 3Hassan Fadlalla
- 2Carvalho Deus Correia
- 10Al Haydos
- 12Boudiaf
- 6MohammedSubstituted forAL Haj Madiboat 73'minutesBooked at 85mins
- 14Ahmed
- 19AbdullaSubstituted forAlaaeldin Abdelmotaalat 73'minutes
- 11Afif
Substitutes
- 1Al Sheeb
- 4Fathy Abdoulla
- 7Alaaeldin Abdelmotaal
- 8Thaimn Qambar
- 9Abdurisag Yusuf
- 13Djebril
- 16Marafee
- 17Mohammad
- 18Al Brake
- 20Al Ahrak
- 21Mohamed Ali
- 23AL Haj Madibo
Live Text
Match ends, Republic of Ireland 4, Qatar 0.
Second Half ends, Republic of Ireland 4, Qatar 0.
Attempt saved. Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Harry Arter.
James Collins (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Bassam Al Rawi (Qatar).
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. James Collins replaces Jamie McGrath.
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Harry Arter replaces Conor Hourihane.
Jason Knight (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Homam Ahmed (Qatar).
Assim Madibo (Qatar) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Troy Parrott (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Assim Madibo (Qatar).
Foul by Troy Parrott (Republic of Ireland).
Assim Madibo (Qatar) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top left corner.
Foul by Andrew Omobamidele (Republic of Ireland).
Homam Ahmed (Qatar) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Bassam Al Rawi.
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Troy Parrott replaces Callum Robinson.
Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Nathan Collins replaces Shane Duffy.
English (US)