Republic of Ireland V Belgium - Saturday, 26th March 2022 - Friendly

[ifk101]

Wonder if the post was delivered today with James away.

[Diggs246]

His entering semi-retirement, seemingly with good grace, didn't help his cause either to be fair.


Im might be wrong here, but was there a dispute or an issue involving Darren after the England friendly? ( the 3-0 defeat)

[passinginterest]

My view is, if these were competitive fixtures Randolph would be getting a call, even just to have his experience on the bench. As it stands, it's almost certain Kelleher is going to get most of both games, I doubt Talbot will see any minutes and they might give O'Leary a cap having brought him over, but probably no more than 15 minutes at the end of the Lithuania game. Randolph might be feeling a bit overlooked and maybe a call from Kenny would do no harm, but I doubt he really wants to fly in for 10 days to sit on the bench and maybe play 20 minutes in a low key friendly. As far as I know his partner is fairly close to her due date too, so another reason he's unlikely to actually want to be involved, even if he's crying out for a bit of attention.

[SkStu]

Wonder if the post was delivered today with James away.

it was dumped unceremoniously at the back of the GPO.

[JR89]

Match day squad announced.

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[JR89]

Starting XI picked itself really with Kelleher the only player starting that didn't finish out the Luxembourg game.

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[pineapple stu]

Belgian team -

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[pineapple stu]

No idea what to expect from this really. Shades of Lille when Italy put out their second string, but we don't really have a Hoolahan to unpick things these days.

Did England rest a fair against us two years ago?

Belgium have left Origi and Benteke on the bench, though de Ketelaere is having a great season at Club Brugge it seems (17 goals) and you have to be wary of Belgian you players coming through the last few years. Batshuayi can play a bit too.

Honestly no idea what to expect here. Happy with a decent performance I guess. Will make my mind up on the opposition/result as I watch!

[Paddy Garcia]

No room for Ronan!

Surprised at that tbh.

[passinginterest]

After a decent start Belgium score with their first chance. Coleman was poor I though. Good finish. Not a lot Kelleher could have done (Bazunu would have saved it…).

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, Coleman being a bit slack was my first thought, but what a finish. Took it really early too

[Jd2793]

Coleman is finished

[joey B]

Chasing shadows the first 20 odd minutes…

[third policeman]

Chasing shadows. Mismatch so far.

[pineapple stu]

Henry getting booed on the big screen.

I presume it was him and not Anthony Barry sat beside him anyway!

[SkStu]

I agree on Coleman needing to do better and we’ve never looked too good with him in a back three. Lovely early strike though.

While we’ve contained them pretty easily for the most part, Belgium second string are no mugs. What we wouldn’t give for some of their talent. We’ve been poor enough in the first 30 minutes. A lot of industry but not much inspiration. We look blunt and slow in attack, especially Robbo. Sloppy low percentage passing in the middle third too.

[SkStu]

Henry getting booed on the big screen.

I presume it was him and not Anthony Barry sat beside him anyway!

Had the same thoughts :)

[passinginterest]

Better last 5 minutes or so. Was looking very worryingly easy for Belgium after the goal.

[shakermaker1982]

Cracking equaliser.

[passinginterest]

Ah god ya have to love Ogbene. Some lad!

[SkStu]

Love it. Fu*kin love it. Love when Ogbene scores!!

[joey B]

Great goal,Ogbene fantastic there!

[pineapple stu]

Belgium will be raging over that. You can't get time to take the ball down in the six-yard box.

Belgium's problem though!

[Bielsa´s irish]

A Stapleton goal by Ogbene

[SkStu]

Looks like my post earlier was the kick in the backside they needed. :) Way better since!

[pineapple stu]

Can't remember the last time I saw a half of football flip so dramatically. Couldn't get a touch of the ball the first 30, and then much the better side for the rest of the half.

Was it SkStu? I'd like to think it was Henry on the telly that caused it :)

[osarusan]

The first 30 minutes of that was hard to watch, as the (second string) Belgians were in total control while barely breaking sweat.

Then it was like a switch was flipped somewhere, and we started attacking, and actually posed them a few problems.

[paul_oshea]

Belgium will be raging over that. You can't get time to take the ball down in the six-yard box.

Belgium's problem though!

Exactly my thoughts and the deflection was poor given mignolet had it covered and two defenders behind him, still well done to ogbene taking the chance

[passinginterest]

Ok early on. Then Belgium scored and completely dominated up to the half hour. The equaliser came from our first spell of persistent pressure and possession. From that point to the end of the half we looked the better team. Some good moments from Knight and McLean although final balls let them down. Cullen solid as ever and Egan at the back. I like how Knight is always playing on the half turn and trying to make something happen. Robinson fairly quiet, Ogbene was too up to the goal really, but won that free with his pace at the end of the half too.

[Razors left peg]

A half of 2 halves. The goal we conceded was brutal. From Duffy giving the ball away, Coleman defending terribly and Kelleher being flat footed. The ball wasn't in the corner of goals and I'd expect keeper to save it, I think Bazunu would have!

We were awful up to about 5 mins before the goal and it seemed like the crowd booing Henry actually lifted us. We were very good for last 20 mins.

Think Robinson has been anonymous and I'd replace him with Parrott or Keane for 2nd half.

Ogbene I just don't understand, I don't really rate him but he's effective for us

[passinginterest]

Looking at the Belgian goal again. I can’t understand why Coleman doesn’t step out. He’s 5 yards behind everyone. Two steps forward and the ball to Bashuyai isn’t on. Then he’s very slow to move his feet when he tries to show him the outside. Just poor all around.

[CraftyToePoke]

and Kelleher being flat footed. The ball wasn't in the corner of goals and I'd expect keeper to save it, I think Bazunu would have

Well impossible to definitely say but inclined to agree. Bazunu has saved better shots for us, without question. It wasn't travelling fast, it wasn't outside the post.
Maybe it'll settle the Kelleher tub thumpers down a bit, they're both young, they're both human, they'll both have ups and downs.

[SkStu]

A half of 2 halves. The goal we conceded was brutal. From Duffy giving the ball away, Coleman defending terribly and Kelleher being flat footed. The ball wasn't in the corner of goals and I'd expect keeper to save it, I think Bazunu would have!

We were awful up to about 5 mins before the goal and it seemed like the crowd booing Henry actually lifted us. We were very good for last 20 mins.

Think Robinson has been anonymous and I'd replace him with Parrott or Keane for 2nd half.

Ogbene I just don't understand, I don't really rate him but he's effective for us

I’d give Kelleher a break on that to be honest. I think the fault lies with Coleman and I think he blocks Kellehers line of sight. Plus Batshuayi took the shot so, so early.

[seanfhear]

Looking at the Belgian goal again. I can’t understand why Coleman doesn’t step out. He’s 5 yards behind everyone. Two steps forward and the ball to Bashuyai isn’t on. Then he’s very slow to move his feet when he tries to show him the outside. Just poor all around.
Unfortunately Coleman is Not the player he was.

[SkStu]

Should be 2.

[SkStu]

That was quality from Hendrick.

[pineapple stu]

Should be 2.
Denayer denies us, appropriately enough.

Really should have done better there though.

[paul_oshea]

Another good performance from Hendrick. Delorean needs to pull out his 5 mins reel he could definitely triple that now

[shakermaker1982]

Two men free. Frustrating.

[joey B]

Brutal defending there,free header 6 yards out…

[passinginterest]

That’s really poor. Two Belgian’s completely free there. Belgium poaching our set piece specialist coach has paid off for them!!

[joey B]

Responded well after the goal,playing some decent stuff….

[SkStu]

Responded well after the goal,playing some decent stuff….

Really are. That was a lovely bit of skill from Robbo a few mins ago to turn two of their players inside out but the passing moves that we are putting together really are something to behold and enjoy. Those are the real positives.

That was brutal defending for their goal though.

[paul_oshea]

Belgium haven't really gotten out of second gear. Bar the 5-10 min spell at the end of the first half and the first few minutes of the second we've been very flat. All a bit laboured. Belgium look like they're happy just to play it out now and not extend themselves.

[Insidetherock]

The play is light years ahead of what we were playing under O Neill and Mc Carthy, and anyone who doesn't accept that may as well stop watching ball..

[pineapple stu]

Slightly surprising there's no subs yet?

[tommy_c12000]

Unable to watch game unfortunately, but I see still no subs?! What is going on?

[SkStu]

Unable to watch game unfortunately, but I see still no subs?! What is going on?

Keane and Browne are on for Knight and Jeff. They were late in coming though, agree with P-Stu completely.

[SkStu]

F*cking get in. Yeaaahh we really deserve that. Brilliant from Ogbene again.

[passinginterest]

That’s a brilliant header and Ogbene has done so well again. That’s a proper mix of old fashioned punt and play off the break combined with real quality.