International friendly: Republic of Ireland 2 Belgium 2
IN front of a staggering 48,808 fans for a tea-time friendly international on a Saturday, we saw yet another encouraging glimpse of the future under Stephen Kenny.
Now unbeaten in seven games after grabbing a well-earned draw against a makeshift Belgium side, ranked number one in the world, the 50-year-old Dubliner has effectively silenced all of his critics after a bumpy ride during the early throes of his tenure.
It’s not just the results - it’s the template that gives the Irish hope heading into this summer’s Nation League campaign and beyond.
Nobody ever doubted Kenny’s well-intentioned philosophy of trying to find another way of winning football matches – but he needed good outcomes to carry a nation – and his critics – with him.
He now has evidence to point to, and his team’s performances are beginning to throw a questioning light on previous regimes that opted for a backs-to-the-wall, austere, reactionary style of play.
Ireland, Kenny maintained, were better than that.
A key element in the still relatively new regime is their aggressive high press. It nobbled Portugal last November and Belgium last weekend.
Rather than retreat for the opposition’s restarts and invite pressure, the entire Irish team condensed the play – a full-court press that is not just initiated by the front line but two-thirds of Ireland’s back three – John Egan and Seamus Coleman.
Aside for the opening 25 minutes, all avenues were closed to Belgium to play through the lines.
“Ireland made it very difficult at times,” Belgium boss Roberto Martinez said afterwards.
“I think in the last 15 minutes with the crowd and the emotion, Ireland on the front foot, pressing the ball and were winning the ball high, we didn’t know how to compose ourselves.
“When we scored the second goal we should have been a bit more rational in how to manage the game and we allowed Ireland to play with the momentum.”
As early as the 11th minute, Michy Batshuayi took advantage of some slack defending from Seamus Coleman and Caoimhin Kelleher to curl the ball into the corner of Ireland’s net.
But even before Cheidozie Ogbene’s acrobatic equaliser 10 minutes before the break, Ireland’s aggressive high press was beginning to draw mistakes out of the Belgians, who were obviously without star players Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard.
The Irish had chances to sneak ahead just after half-time with Callum Robinson and Jason Knight spurning good opportunities.
A scrappy headed Hans Vanaken goal from a corner on 58 minutes restored the visitors’ lead and it seemed to quell the Irish rebellion for a time - but the home side found renewed energy in the closing stages and substitute Alan Browne’s bullet header levelled the game on 85 minutes after a brilliant Ogbene cross.
But it was all the hard graft and training ground rehearsals either side of Ireland’s two goals that really gives Ireland supporters hope going forward.
“Our pressing was relentless and they struggled to get out,” Kenny said. “That requires a huge amount of energy and you can't carry one player even slightly against a team of that quality in that situation.
“We were willing to leave ourselves one against one at the back. We don't want to be in a low block playing against them. You could play a mid-block against them and not get out and it's a slow death. We're not having that; we don't want that. We want to try and affect the game.”
Jason Knight commented: “That’s something [high press] the manager brought in when he first came in. It takes a lot of energy, it takes a lot of desire but when you do it right and it comes off it looks really well.
“Belgium are a good team, they can get out of it, but for the majority we pressed really well and got really good chances out of it.”
The performances of Cheidozie Ogbene, James McClean and John Egan were arguably the pick of the bunch from an Irish perspective, while Belfast man Mark Sykes – an unused substitute – will be hoping to make his debut tomorrow night against lesser lights Lithuania.
Kenny asked his players to “elevate” their performances above what they’ve been doing for their clubs – and he got the desired outcome on Saturday evening, twice coming from behind to draw the game.
“I think there is great character in this squad from dealing with setbacks,” said Knight. “We’ve gone through tough times as a squad. And I think to come through those times we've built a big, big character in the squad.”
Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Seamus Coleman (capt), Shane Duffy, John Egan; Matt Doherty, James McClean (Ryan Manning 80), Jeff Hendrick (Alan Browne 76), Josh Cullen; Jason Knight (Will Keane 76), Chiedozie Ogbene, Callum Robinson (Troy Parrott 90)
Belgium: Simon Mignolet; Dedryck Boyata, Jason Denayer, Arthur Theate (Orel Mangala 75), Alexis Saelemaekers (Thomas Foket HT); Thorgan Hazard, Leander Dendoncker, Youri Tielemans (capt), Hans Vanaken, Michy Batshuayi (Christian Benteke 83), Charles De Ketelaere (Adnan Januzaj 75)
Referee: Nicolas Walsh (Sco)
Republic of Ireland ratings
Caoimhin Kelleher: The Liverpool ‘keeper wasn’t alert enough for Michy Batshuayi’s opening goal. Otherwise, did well. His restarts were generally sharp. 6
Seamus Coleman: The Ireland captain didn’t show Batshuayi down the flank for the goal, got too close to the striker and was undone. Recovered well and had an aggressive game on the right side of Ireland’s back three. 6
James McClean: Asked questions of the Belgian defence from his wing-back position. The Derry man was involved in Ireland’s first goal. Energy levels high as ever and pressed forward right to the end. 7
John Egan: You rarely see the Sheffield United defender exposed. Has good recovery and really comfortable in possession. Was name-checked by his manager afterwards for leading the team press. 7.5
Shane Duffy: Played a very flat pass that handed Belgium possession and seconds later Ireland were behind. Smarter with the ball after that and defended well. 7
Josh Cullen: The Anderlecht midfielder came up against a few familiar rivals and kept the ball when Ireland needed it most. Has made the defensive pivot position his own. 7
Matt Doherty: Kept forcing the issue as Ireland chased a second equaliser, but might have been more alert to help Coleman deal with Batshuayi for Belgium’s opening goal. 6
Jeff Hendrick: The on-loan QPR midfielder had some good moments but not enough of them. Threaded a brilliant pass to Jason Knight and led Ireland’s press well. 6
Jason Knight: Set the bar quite high after his Luxembourg display. Worked hard but more perspiration than inspiration. 5
Callum Robinson: Unlucky not to add to his seven international goals with a deft flick in the second half that was saved. Can claim an assist for Ogbene’s first-half goal. 6.5
Star Man: Cheidozie Ogbene: Gives the Ireland attack an unpredictable edge and pace. Won free-kicks in good positions, scored an acrobatic overhead kick and set up Alan Browne for Ireland’s late equaliser. 8
Subs:
Will Keane: Never wasted many balls that came his way. 6
Alan Browne: Made his trademark late run into the penalty area and scored a bullet header. 7
Ryan Manning: Slotted in on the left side for James McClean. 5
Troy Parrott: Not on long enough to be rated.
