"Ireland are bottom of Group F with one point from their first two games, having followed up a 2-2 home draw with Hungary with a humiliating loss in Yerevan. Eduard Spertsyan opened the scoring from the penalty spot following a Nathan Collins foul in first-half stoppage time, then Grant-Leon Ranos tucked home to double Armenia's lead early in the second half. Roma loanee Evan Ferguson quickly pulled one back to become the first Ireland player to net in three competitive matches in a row since Stephen Ireland in 2006-07. But unlike against Hungary on Saturday, Ireland were unable to complete the comeback as their hopes of reaching next year's tournament took a monumental blow."
"Hallgrimsson told RTE: "Today I take the blame for this. But the players are the same players we were happy with in the second half against Hungary. So, as I said, it is an off day, and we have to look inside and see what we can do differently." "The job of the coach, if they are not producing, then of course it is always a question," he said. "I am not naive, it is understandable now, after this performance. I will take the blame, the players need support, and we need to encourage them.""
Ireland sit bottom of Group F with one point from two matches after a 2-1 defeat in Yerevan following a 2-2 home draw with Hungary. Eduard Spertsyan converted a penalty after a Nathan Collins foul in first-half stoppage time and Grant-Leon Ranos extended Armenia's lead early in the second half. Evan Ferguson reduced the deficit and became the first Irish player since 2006-07 to score in three consecutive competitive matches, but Ireland could not complete a comeback. Hallgrimsson accepted responsibility, acknowledged pressure on his role, and said the players need support. Ireland visit Portugal next and then host Armenia.
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