Szoboszlai bemoans red card decision as Hallgrímsson dismisses Hungarian complaints

Liverpool star Szoboszlai had the starring role expected of him, delivering a pinpoint corner for Roland Sallai to extend the Maygars lead to 2-0 by the 15th minute.

It was the striker’s red card, however, that caused consternation in the visiting camp, leaving them stretched for the majority of the second half.

“I didn't see the red card situation,” said Hungarian captain Szoboszlai. “I don't want to get into it although I've heard opinions.

“I hope everyone has learned that you can't react like that but I have to defend Sallai because he wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone.

“If that was a red card, then maybe we should look back at their first goal too."

That pointed remark referenced Ferguson’s close-range finish to half the arrears four minutes into the second half.

Referee Harm Osmers didn’t have his decision to deem a challenge by Nathan Collins fair in the build-up overturned by VAR, much to the chagrin of Szoboszlai and Co.

"I'm proud of the team that we started like this because we discussed that it was important,” he said, citing their explosive two-goal blast.

“The first half was a dream start. If we had kept it that way, then the whole game would have been the same but we fought very well for a long time with one player less. There could be a stage over this campaign when that one point will be worth gold.”

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson dismissed his counterpart Marco Rossi’s whining about the outcome.

Both managers had spells on the sidelines questioning decisions of Osmers but the German official came in for particular flak by Rossi, who claimed the whistler allowed the contest to descend into a “wrestling match”.

There certainly seemed to be a “no-holds-barred” approach taken on the basis of Ireland captain Nathan Collins having his shirt tugged in the box without a penalty being awarded.

Conversely, he didn’t hesitate to brandish a straight red card to Sallai just four minutes after Ferguson reduced the arrears. Hungary’s first goalscorer, in his frustration at being outmuscled by Josh Cullen, recklessly snapped at the ankle of Dara O’Shea.

His petulance was costly. Validated by a VAR check, the Galatasaray attacker will miss Tuesday’s meeting of the top two seeds in Budapest.

“The referee probably started to think it was a wrestling match instead of a football match,” said Italian Rossi, in-situ for the past seven years.

“I will be really surprised if we have a referee like we did here. He killed us in every contact.

“The decisions must be the same for both teams. For Ireland’s first goal, there was a clear elbow by Nathan Collins on Barnabas Varga. Did you not see it? You are looking at me like I am saying stupid things.” It only sounded stupid because, like the red card, VAR didn’t overturn.

“I’m not happy with our player (Sallai) but he reacted to a clear foul,” he complained.

“It was a reaction to frustration. From the red card, we played with one less player for almost 45 minutes.

“That’s difficult. Especially against a team which puts high balls into the box and we had to defend.”

Hallgrímsson’s usually succinct English eluded him slightly when pressed for a reaction to the moan.

“Listen, if he’s pissed, he’s pissed!” His take on the refereeing performance was through a different prism.

“We had 40 crosses in the match and there were a lot of fouls in the box that weren’t checked by VAR - so we can complain as well,” he outlined.

“Hungary were kind of time-wasting from the second goal in the 15th minute, so he can’t complain. They were throwing themselves down on the pitch, using up minutes whenever they could.

“Even though the referee gave Hungary a warning, he didn’t do the same later on in the game, so he was inconsistent in that sense.”

Ireland’s consistency is falling behind in games. Eight of their nine competitive games since Hallgrímsson’s reign began against England 12 months ago entailed conceding first. They recovered against Finland and twice against Bulgaria to complete comeback wins before this turnaround salvaged a draw.

“It would be great to answer that question,” he admitted. “Conceding after two minutes was a bit unlucky but we lost the duel. On a consistent basis, I need to look inside to see what I’m doing.

“The manner we conceded was just sloppy. We lost a duel and conceded from a corner. I don’t think conceding in the second minute has much to do with preparation. It happened against Bulgaria too.

“Some of the players aren’t switched on. It could be due to nerves, the importance of the match or because of the past.”

Ronnie Whelan surprisingly chose Caoimhín Kelleher as his man-of-the-match, just before the late, late leveller, but such was the pressure in the Hungarian box, Ireland’s boss felt it should have rewarded to the other custodian.

“Hungary’s goalkeeper (Dénes Dibusz) was man of the match,” declared the Ireland about Robbie Keane’s Ferencváros stopper.

Rossi, who has led the Magyars to the last two Euro finals, predicted from the outset that Portugal will top the group.

Furthermore, the duel for second place – and entry into the World Cup playoffs in March – could be settled at the Puskás Aréna on November 16. That’s the rematch on the final day after both have faced the Portuguese and Armenians twice each.

“This result leaves open anything in the group but if we lost 3-2 or won 1-0 it could still be open because we meet Ireland again in the last match,” he noted.

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