International Friendly Report: Republic of Ireland 2 - 2 Belgium

Sean O’Connor reports from the Aviva Stadium

A late equaliser from Alan Browne earned Ireland a draw against the world’s number one ranked side on Saturday evening.

Ireland picked up a superb result against Belgium and even had the chances to win it in truth. Michy Batshuayi opened the scoring on 12 minutes before Man of the Match Chiedozie Ogbene levelled the game with a spectacular overhead strike.

Ireland were inches away from going ahead through Callum Robinson, who started the second half brilliantly. Vanaken’s header put Belgium in front on the hour mark, before Alan Browne’s powerful header had the Boys in Green level again. The result means that Ireland are now unbeaten in their last seven games.

Ireland came into the game in great form, with three wins, ten goals and four clean sheets in their previous four games. Belgium went unbeaten in their World Cup qualifying campaign last year but lost to Italy and France in the Nations League finals in October.

It was the sides first meeting since the Euro 2016 group stage in France. Ireland lost 3-0 in Bordeaux as Lukaku hit a brace either side of an Axel Witsel strike. Belgium boss Roberto Martinez opted to leave out those with over fifty caps for this international window, with an eye to testing out new players ahead of December’s World Cup in Qatar.

Stephen Kenny made two changes to the side that won away in Luxembourg in November. Caoimhín Kelleher came in for Bazunu who withdrew with illness, while Jason Knight replaced Adam Idah. Connor Ronan and Jimmy Dunne missed out of the 23-man match-day squad.

Martinez made six changes to the side that drew against Wales in their final outing of last year. Simon Mignolet, Jason Denayer, Alexis Saelemaekers, Leander Dendoncker, Youri Tielemens and Michy Batshuayi all came into the starting eleven.

Right from the start Ireland pressed Belgium into tight areas high up the pitch. Kenny’s side enjoyed a lot of the ball in the opening fifteen minutes and forced the world’s number one side into a couple of misplaced passes.

Despite the bright start, Ireland fell behind on 12 minutes, conceding their first goal in 430 minutes. Besiktas striker Batshuayi found himself in front of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman. With a drop of the shoulder, the 28-year-old sent a curling strike past Kelleher to put Belgium a goal ahead.



Batshuayi went close again on two occasions soon after. His first effort was well blocked by Shane Duffy and looped over the crossbar, before his strike from outside the box went just wide.

Ireland struggled to get near the ball after the opener, and when they did, failed to hold onto it for any prolonged period.

Kenny’s side began to find their groove on the half hour mark. The front three of Ogbene, Jason Knight and Callum Robinson started to interchange positions, confusing the Belgian back three. Roared on by the south stand, McClean tried his luck from outside the box and forced a couple of corners.

Ogbene told the media this week about the nerves he gets when the Ireland squad is released, hoping to be involved. The 24-year-old credits Kenny with building up his confidence at international level. Perhaps this is the reason he equalised for Ireland with a spectacular overhead kick on 35 minutes. It was Ogbene’s third goal in his last four starts, as the roof was taken off the Aviva in celebration.

The equaliser seemed to breathe new life into Ireland after a difficult opening 30 minutes. Kenny’s side held onto the ball better, although a succession of Irish corners failed to trouble the visitors.

Ireland began the second half on the front foot and were inches away from taking the lead when Robinson’s flick on was cleared off the line by Denayer.



Jeff Hendrick, Kenny’s most used midfielder, played a terrific ball through on 50 minutes which found Knight. The 21-year-old’s effort was well blocked, and Ireland varied the resulting corner by going short. The Boys in Green sent their corners to the back post in the first half, but to no avail.

Ireland were left disappointed again as the visitors retook the lead on the hour mark. Denayer was left unmarked in the Irish box and his header hit off Coleman and into the net. Knight stood on the line but couldn't clear the ball as Ireland fell behind again.

Ireland enjoyed a lot of the ball after Belgium’s second but couldn't make it count with Robinson and Hendrick missing chances to equalize. Keane and Browne were introduced with fifteen minutes remaining.

Kenny’s side were denied a penalty on 80 minutes as Boyata seemed to tackle Ogbene to the ground. The referee waved away the appeals before Ryan Manning replaced James McClean.

Ireland pressed on for an equalizer, which finally came five minutes before the end. Ogbene was instrumental yet again. His cross down the right found Browne whose powerful header beat Mignolet and levelled the game. The 48,000 packed into the Aviva erupted as Kenny embraced his backroom team.

Belgium sent a few late crosses into the Ireland box, but Duffy and Egan rose to each challenge superbly as Ireland saw the game out.

Both sides are in action on Tuesday. Ireland’s attention turns to the visit of Lithuania, while Belgium return home to host Burkina Faso in a friendly.

Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Séamus Coleman (c), Shane Duffy, John Egan; Joshua Cullen, Matt Doherty, Jeff Hendrick (Alan Browne 75), James McClean (Ryan Manning 79); Jason Knight (Will Keane 75), Chiedozie Ogbene, Callum Robinson (Troy Parrott 90).

Subs not used: James Talbot, Max O'Leary, Nathan Collins, Conor Hourihane, Dara O'Shea, Scott Hogan, Mark Sykes, Jayson Molumby.

Booked: None.

Sent off: None.

Belgium: Simon Mignolet; Arthur Theate, Jason Denayer, Dedryck Boyata; Youri Tielemans (c), Alexis Saelemaekers (Thomas Foket 45), Thorgan Hazard, Leander Dendoncker; Charles De Ketelaere, Michy Batshuayi (Christian Benteke 83), Hans Vanaken.

Subs not used: Thomas Kaminski, Matz Sels, Leandro Trossard, Yari Verschaeren, Divock Origi, Adnan Januzaj. Albert Sambi Lokonga, Orel Mangala, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Siebe Van Der Heyden.

Booked: None.

Sent off: None.

Referee: Nicholas Walsh

Attendance: 48,808

extratime.com Player of the Match: Chiedozie Ogbene (Republic of Ireland)

 

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