Hungary prepare for Euro 2020 with a goal-less home draw to Ireland

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

On a very hot night at the Szusza Ferenc Stadium it was an Irish team with a lot of youth and sprinkled with experience taking on an experienced Hungary side who are preparing for Euro 2020.

The “Boys in Green” took the knee before the start of the match and received a large amount of abuse from the large home crowd in doing so.

It will be interesting to see the reaction from UEFA and the media if this is repeated in Hungary’s two upcoming home matches in Euro 2020 against Portugal and France, especially given that Budapest is the only venue that is operating at 100% capacity during the tournament, while most others will only be around 25% full.

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

It was a slow start from the Irish in the match with Hungary pressing hard, forcing the Irish defence into sloppy mistakes. Ireland became a little bit more assured as the game went on in the first half with captain Shane Duffy organising the Irish back line very well.

There were a few scares with Conor Hourihane having to clear off the line for Ireland but in the first half they kept Hungary at bay with only long shots that were not hitting the target.

Meanwhile Ireland’s McClean curled in a great cross that just missed Duffy’s head, Cullen recycled the ball but his delivery was straight into the Hungarians keeper’s hands. Hourihane also curled a really dangerous free kick into the box and it just eluded everybody.

Ireland made one change for the start of the second half bringing on Liverpool’s keeper Caoimhin Kelleher for his senior debut and what a debut it turned out to be!

He first of all got down well to an effort from Ádám Szalai when the ball broke loose to him. Kelleher then pulled of an amazing one handed save following a great header by Szalai again as the Cork man reacted superbly by tipping the ball over the crossbar at full stretch.

From the corner he made another good save, parrying away Szalai’s shot after the ball fell kindly for him at the edge of the area.

Kelleher tips header over the bar from Szalai (Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency))

Overall a good night for the Irish lads with a hard fought 0-0 draw against a tough and physical Hungary side. Up next for both sides is current European Champions Portugal, with Hungary playing them next Tuesday in Euro 2020 and Ireland playing them in September in the World Cup 2022 qualifier.

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