In his post-match interview with RTÉ following Ireland's win on Sunday night, Martin O'Neill described Ireland allowing Moldova back into the game shortly before half-time as a 'dunderhead moment'.
The man mainly responsible was Shane Duffy. The Brighton centre-back was caught out badly - partially due to a lack of pace and partially due to a poor reading of the game. Duffy stepped up too far into the Moldovan half allowing a ball in behind the Irish defence. Igor Bugaev ran through to slot past Darren Randolph.
Speaking to the Irish Sun, Duffy revealed that Martin O'Neill gave him a slap when they watched the goal back after the game.
I have just looked back at the goal — the manager gave me a slap across the head.
I just have to get it out of my game, I am in good form and confident form but bad mistakes . . . I will go back to Brighton on Saturday, hopefully play in the team and keep my form going.
I don’t want to keep using inexperience as an excuse as I don’t want to keep making mistakes.
Duffy also explained what was going through his head as the ball came into the possession Alexandru Gatcan, the player who played the pass for Bugaev.
For their goal, there was just a mix-up. I tried to read the guy, he has taken it down and put it through.
I thought he was going to head it inside but I should have just stayed and seen it out.
I was cruising all game, I thought I had a comfortable game.
But one lapse of concentration in the last minute of the first half, that put a dent in the performance.
Overall, I thought it was all right.
Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile
