Browne and Knight reflect on thrilling Belgium clash

Alan Browne celebrates his late equaliser against Belgium at the Aviva Stadium.

Alan Browne celebrates his late equaliser against Belgium at the Aviva Stadium. Credit: Muller Santos (ETPhotos)

Seán O’Connor reports from the Aviva stadium

48,000 witnessed Ireland come from behind twice to earn an impressive draw against the world’s number one ranked side on Saturday evening.

Michy Batshuayi opened the scoring inside fifteen minutes with a superb individual effort, but it was 24-year-old Chiedozie Ogbene who would steal the headlines. Ogbene’s spectacular overhead strike put Ireland level and was one of the most memorable goals scored at the Aviva in years.

Vanaken’s header put Belgium back in front on the hour mark, but Ogbene was to be instrumental again in Ireland’s late equaliser. The Cork-man did superbly to keep the ball in play, before crossing to Alan Browne whose powerful header beat Mignolet. Almost a year to the day since the Boys in Green lost at home to Luxembourg in an empty Aviva, Stephen Kenny’s side proved on Saturday that they can compete with the world’s best. A win “wouldn’t have flatters us at all,” Kenny said after the game.

Browne told extratime.com how important his equaliser was to him personally. It was the 26-year-old's first Ireland goal since scoring away to Serbia twelve months ago.

 “It’s massive,” said Browne.

“As the manager said, the players who have been playing for him have been excellent. It’s a tough squad to break into. I just got to do as well as I can coming on. The same as the other boys, you seen Jason Knight against Luxembourg came on and made an impact and got another chance tonight to impress. For me it’s good to be here and play when called upon.”

Browne also said that he feels the national side have turned a corner, after going eleven games without a win when Kenny first took charge.

“We’ve come under a lot of criticism at the start, but I think we’ve turned a page now and we’re getting the results to match the performances. I think the performances from the get-go have been really good, we just didn't have the results to match it.”

“We're going into the (June) campaign full of belief and with a winning mentality that’s been beat into us. It’s definitely realistic that we can win it.”



Derby County’s Jason Knight also spoke to extratime.com after the game and shared his thoughts on his preferred position on the pitch, having played as a six, and eight and a ten so far in his career.

“I’ve always grown up as a central midfielder,” said Knight.

“But you go away with Ireland or go away with Derby, I just want to be playing. That’s when I’m happiest. I’m happy to play anywhere really.”

Knight also looked ahead to Tuesday’s visit of Lithuania and spoke about the character of this Ireland side.

“It’s going to be a big, big game for us on Tuesday night, to try get a win in front of our home fans. It’s something we’ll really look forward to and try get a result.”

“There’s great character in this squad, dealing with setbacks. We’ve gone through tough times as a squad, and I think to come through those times we’ve built up great character.”



“We’re progressing. There is obviously still things to improve. We always believe when we go out onto that pitch that we can compete with anyone. I think we showed that tonight in large parts that we can compete with these big nations.”

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