THIS TEABAG TASTES SOUR

No Haaland but Ireland’s porous defence exposed again as Norway leave Dublin with a win and Stephen Kenny with yet more questions than answers

- PAUL O'HEHIR

TWO days out from the start of the World Cup and tournament fever isn’t exactly gripping the globe like it ordinarily should.

FIFA saw to that, of course, by handing Qatar the hosting honours.

And it’s doubtful that Ireland and Norway would have injected any good time vibes into the cause for neutrals, had they secured a seat at the table.

There was a considerable stench of pre-World Cup friendly’ off this low-key encounter. And even more so when neither team had actually qualified for the World Cup.

Erling Haaland’s absence from the tournament will be keenly felt, such is his irresistible form in the Premier League.

His absence here was keenly felt too, at least among the kids in the crowd.

Stephen Kenny claimed he wanted Haaland to play as it would represent a truer test for his players going into the France game in March.

But you sense the world’s best player on current form would have inflicted serious damage on hosts who were asleep at the wheel either side of their equaliser.

Ireland’s mini second-half revival was more like it, and Alan Browne’s tasty equaliser from distance was superbly executed. He deserved it too, as he threatened before it.

But Kenny’s Ireland still lack the guile and knowhow to see out games, or capitalise on periods of dominance.

Rather, they are becoming masters of shooting themselves in the foot and Norway’s late, late winner was hardly surprising in that regard.