Ireland midfielder Wes Hoolahan admits that a half-time team talk from manager Martin O’Neill turned things around against Moldova and helped the visitors to a 3-1 World Cup qualifying victory.
Ireland took an early lead through Shane Long in Chisinau but feel victim to a suck-punch equaliser in injury time at the end of the first-half, having looked to be in complete control.
Shane Duffy was caught out in midfield, coming for a ball that he should have left and Igor Bugaiov nipped in behind him to equalise.
Man-of-the-match Hoolahan admitted that O’Neill was not a happy man at the break but was pleased with the way in which Ireland turned things around.
“Obviously drawing level just before half-time, we came in at half-time and had a little chat, saying it wasn’t good enough and then we came out again and got two great goals from James,” he said.
“It was a tight pitch and Moldova were closing down well but we knew they’d tire in the last 20 minutes and that’s when we started getting on top and creating a lot of chances.
“Before they got the equaliser we created a lot but didn’t finish the chances.”
In the evening's other Group D game Serbia ran out 3-2 winners over Austria, which leaves Serbia on top of the group, just ahead of Ireland by a better goal difference of one.
Wales, who could only draw with Georgia earlier in the day, are sitting in third place with five points.
Ireland’s opening game of the campaign was a 2-2 draw away to Serbia and as the group progress, Hoolahan believes that point will prove to be essential.
“It’s a great point you know, it’s going to be important point,” he said. “You see Wales drawing with Georgia who are difficult opponents, they’re hard to break down.
"Six points over the last two games is great for us."
