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

**passinginterest** · 26/03/2022, 5:15 PM

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

**joey B** · 26/03/2022, 5:20 PM

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

**SkStu** · 26/03/2022, 5:22 PM

Originally Posted by joey B

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** · 26/03/2022, 5:28 PM

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** · 26/03/2022, 5:29 PM

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** · 26/03/2022, 5:30 PM

Slightly surprising there's no subs yet?

**tommy_c12000** · 26/03/2022, 5:35 PM

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

**SkStu** · 26/03/2022, 5:37 PM

Originally Posted by tommy_c12000

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** · 26/03/2022, 5:43 PM

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

**passinginterest** · 26/03/2022, 5:43 PM

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.

**joey B** · 26/03/2022, 5:43 PM

Great goal,Ogbene did so well again and a super header!

**SkStu** · 26/03/2022, 5:50 PM

Originally Posted by 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..

I’m going to call it. There will be probably a few posters on here who’ll have been disappointed we equalized and generally played such good stuff.

**passinginterest** · 26/03/2022, 5:51 PM

Have to be pleased enough with that. It was looking bleak after 30 minutes but from the on we were the better team and the score line showed it. Kelleher has a very quiet night again. Most disappointing thing was conceding from a corner and defending it so badly.

**pineapple stu** · 26/03/2022, 5:51 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

I’m going to call it. There will be probably a few posters on here who’ll have been disappointed we equalized and generally played such good stuff.

Anthony Barry has brought Belgium to new heights anyway!

**SkStu** · 26/03/2022, 5:53 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Anthony Barry has brought Belgium to new heights anyway!

This legitimately made me laugh a bit.

**osarusan** · 26/03/2022, 5:53 PM

Decent start to the second half, could have been ahead from when they played themselves into trouble, or from that super Hendrick pass. Belgium were lucky to go ahead when they did, although the defending was woeful.

After that we were game, but had run out of ideas up front, and Ogbene and Robinson weren't really in the game and Belgium were happy to see it out.

But great to see Ogbene work so hard and get the reward.

Yes, it's a friendly, and yes, it's a Belgium side missing so many of their best players, but player for player today they are still well ahead, so a draw is always a sign that the team played well.

**Insidetherock** · 26/03/2022, 5:54 PM

Another building block.. and fantastic crowd.. games/results like this will make the crowd fall in love with the team..

Pity the Nations League is going to be put on hold with the Ukraine/Scotland playoff surely happening then now instead of the NL games..

Both would have been sell outs I reckon with great opportunities for the fans to really get behind the team again

**Insidetherock** · 26/03/2022, 5:55 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

Decent start to the second half, could have been ahead from when they played themselves into trouble, or from that super Hendrick pass. Belgium were lucky to go ahead when they did, although the defending was woeful.

After that were we game, but had run out of ideas up front, and Ogbene and Robinson weren't really in the game and Belgium were happy to see it out.

But great to see Ogbene work so hard and get the reward.

Yes, it's a friendly, and yes, it's a Belgium side missing so many of their best players, but player for player today they are still well ahead, so a draw is always a sign that the team played well.

Absolutely right.. that Belgian team would still beat most teams in Europe

**joey B** · 26/03/2022, 5:56 PM

Decent result that,played well in parts…

**pineapple stu** · 26/03/2022, 5:59 PM

Originally Posted by Insidetherock

Pity the Nations League is going to be put on hold with the Ukraine/Scotland playoff surely happening then now instead of the NL games..

I think that might actually suit us (albeit the war which caused it is horrible of course)

Four games in one window would have been quite tough; I don't think we have the squad depth for that, especially in attacking positions.

Instead, three games (Armenia being second up) would be handier, though we'll obviously have to fit the postponed game in somewhere