Irish benefit from naive Germans – Low

Germany coach Joachim Low felt his team showed naivety to let the Republic of Ireland leave Gelsenkirchen with a 1-1 draw.

The world champions suffered a chastening 2-0 loss in Poland on Saturday but Toni Kroos’ 71st-minute strike looked to have got their Group D Euro 2016 qualifying campaign back on track at the Veltins-Arena.

But Ireland captain John O’Shea – making his 100th international appearance – secured a share of the spoils for the visitors deep into stoppage time.

Germany will surely return to winning ways when they entertain group minnows Gibraltar in November but Low was left to bemoan a careless approach in the closing moments against Ireland that ultimately extended Germany’s post-World Cup malaise to one win in four matches.

“We are all disappointed,” Low told the German FA website. “In the last minute we were too naive to have [long] balls only hyped forward, [we didn’t] hold the ball and lost the balls.

“Overall, it was a difficult game, we had to be patient. In the first half our game was missing width and depth – we have it easy for the Irish to defend.

“In the second half we made it better and created more pressure, but unfortunately it did not rewarded us with the second goal.

“We will win against Gibraltar and concentrate all forces. Then we are back next year.”

Goalscorer Kroos was understandably frustrated after turning in a fine individual performance.

“We are disappointed,” he told the German FA website. “That was unnecessary, because we played it well over long periods. This is incomprehensible.”