Hallgrimsson accepts blame as Republic of Ireland lose shock World Cup qualifier to Armenia

Heimir Hallgrimsson accepted responsibility for the Republic of Ireland's shock 2-1 defeat by Armenia in Yerevan on Tuesday, acknowledging that his position would come under scrutiny after a performance he described as "an off day."

The loss left the Republic with one point from two Group F qualifiers, bottom of the section after following a 2-2 draw with Hungary in their opening match. Eduard Spertsyan converted a first-half stoppage-time penalty to put Armenia ahead, Grant-Leon Ranos doubled the lead on 51 minutes and Evan Ferguson reduced the deficit six minutes later, but Ireland could not find an equaliser.

"Of course, I take the blame for this," Hallgrimsson told RTÉ. "The players are the same players we were happy with against Bulgaria and in the second half against Hungary. I will take the blame, the players need support, and we need to encourage them. They are going back to their clubs and hopefully they come back in four weeks' time ready for the next challenge."

The 58-year-old, who is under contract until the end of the qualifying campaign, conceded that results will determine his future. "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 and after this performance. Everything needs to be perfect from now on and after this, it is difficult to be optimistic that we will go to Portugal and win those games with a performance like that."

Hallgrimsson, who previously managed Jamaica, said "almost everything" went wrong in Armenia. He criticised the team's defending, their loss of duels and mistakes in possession that allowed Armenia to counter effectively. "Armenia can be quick on the counter and they have good individuals with good individual skills, and they deservedly won," he added.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, Hallgrimsson introduced Adam Idah and Kasey McAteer for Jack Taylor and Chiedozie Ogbene in an attempt to change the tactical approach and add fresh legs. The manager said the substitutions were his responsibility after the team failed to create sufficient chances to involve star striker Ferguson more often.

Captain Nathan Collins echoed the assessment that Armenia were the better side on the night and said the performance did not meet the squad's standards. "I probably do think they were the better team, which is nowhere near where our standards should be," Collins told RTÉ. "We didn't create enough. It probably wasn't defensively strong enough and overall, just wasn't a good enough performance. We have to beat Portugal, that's the be all and end all. We have to go there and get a result and that's all I can say."

The result is a blow to Ireland's qualifying hopes in Group F, where Portugal currently lead and visits to Lisbon and a home return fixture against Armenia loom large. Ireland travel to face group leaders Portugal on Oct. 11 and host Armenia three days later, fixtures that Hallgrimsson said will demand a markedly improved showing.

Armenia, ranked 105th in the world, had been tipped as an underdog, but capitalised on Ireland's errors and took full advantage. The defeat follows a campaign start that left the Irish facing an uphill battle for a place at next year's finals, as qualifying spots in the group will likely be contested tightly.

Hallgrimsson and his squad will have four weeks to regroup at club level before reconvening for the next round of qualifiers, with scrutiny expected to intensify if results do not improve.