During a zero-nil international friendly match between Ireland and Belgium, goalkeepers Caoimhín Kelleher and Matz Sels showcased their phenomenal defending skills, ensuring a goalless match and boosting their already solid reputations in the Premier League. Of particular note, Kelleher brought his exceptional form from Liverpool to Dublin, delivering a spectacular save in the second half against Thomas Meunier, following a right-wing attack by Dodi Lukébakio against Dara O’Shea.
The performance set a high bar for fellow player Gavin Bazunu who must work hard to overtake Kelleher in advance of Switzerland’s visit to the Aviva Stadium next Tuesday. Alternatively, interim manager John O’Shea may share the caps, as no players underperformed during the match on this bracing March evening. However, Evan Ferguson did unfortunately extend his four-month goalless streak by missing a first-half penalty.
In the third minute of the game, another missed opportunity arose for Chiedozie Ogbene. After excellent team play involving Ferguson overpowering Wout Faes of Leicester City and Josh Cullen’s first touch leading Sammie Szmodics to guide Ogbene towards Sels’s goal, Ogbene opted to shoot with his weaker left foot, resulting in a miss. Despite the missed chance with a poor finish, Irish side were equally competent with Belgium in the opening of the game.
Kelleher also showcased agility on the field, skilfully avoiding Loïs Openda, then expertly passing to Nathan Collins. Despite rumours of Collins potentially becoming a mid-field anchor akin to Paul McGrath, he was named as a centre back by the Uefa website leading to a pre-match flurry, while O’Shea stuck to a 5-4-1 formation featuring Szmodics and Ogbene working in collaboration with Ferguson.
The match started with intensity, leading to Norwegian referee Rohit Saggi stepping in after some aggressive tackles, including when Cullen knocked down Openda. Interestingly, the biggest applause came at the 25-minute mark when Brian Kerr was highlighted on the stadium’s large screen.
The game was poised for a change in dynamics when Robbie Brady was reinstated to deliver curling free-kicks into perilous areas. On his first attempt, he located Collins who forwarded the ball with a header to O’Shea. However, Arthur Vermeeren managed to halt the ball’s progress with his arm, prompting referee Saggi to grant a penalty right away.
Tasked to terminate a long goal drought since 25th November, when he last found the net for Brighton versus Nottingham Forest, Ferguson stepped up. However, despite arriving in February, Forest’s goalkeeper Sels seemed to have read the young Irishman well. As Ferguson’s foot slipped on the turf while taking the straight penalty, Sels swooped in right, saving the shot mid-dive.
A few moments later, Ogbene was given another opportunity but his attempt was off mark, sweeping across Sels’s area. Both the crowd of 38,128 and the pair of Ferguson and Ogbene craved a goal equally.
With folks coming in and out for quick refreshments, Lansdowne Road was reminiscent of a fast-food hub. Their need for action was further exacerbated when Szmodics blazed over a spectacular attempt from a smart flick on by Ferguson, after he shrugged off Aster Vranckx. It echoed the disheartening last days of Stephen Kenny, where Ireland would start with gusto but soon lose steam.
Meanwhile, Domenico Tedesco, the Belgian coach, reminded all that it was a friendly as he brought Manchester City’s winger Jérémy Doku on the field replacing Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans at half-time. That necessitated Coleman to adopt a defensive stance.
Initiating the second half with a fast offense as is the wont of the team under O’Shea, a Brady cross from the left found Ferguson’s head in just 11 seconds into play. However, the latter’s near-perfect nod went over the crossbar.
Following a clear strike on target by Openda, saved adeptly by Kelleher who was in top form, the next opportunity at goal arrived after 66 minutes but ended in another Irish miss. Ogbene and Will Smallbone executed a neat setup only for Szmodics to shoot into a sea of red.
Then, Dr O’Shea decided to inject some excitement into the game with a major swap – Ogbene, Szmodics and Ferguson replaced by Adam Idah, Jason Knight, and Mikey Johnston. Despite putting on a decent display, the trio eventually left the field with heavy hearts.
In an intense game of Republic of Ireland versus Belgium, the Irish team lined up with Kelleher from Liverpool in goal, with Coleman of Everton and Omobamidele of Nottingham Forest fostering the defence. Adding strength was Collins of Brentford and O’Shea and Cullen from Burnley, alongside Brady of Preston North End. Smallbone of Southampton was there to provide midfield support, while Ogbene of Luton Town and Szmodics from Blackburn rovers, as well as Ferguson from Brighton were the forward line-up. During the match, Szmodics, Ogbene, and Ferguson were replaced by Knight from Bristol City, Johnston from West Bromwich Albion, and Idah from Norwich City respectively at the 71-minute mark. Brady and Smallbone were also substituted by Doherty from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ebosele from Udinese at the 81st and 86th minute respectively.
The Belgian’s had Sels from Nottingham Forest as their goalie, and Castagne from Fulham, Faes from Leicester City, De Winter from Genoa, and Deman from Werder Bremen shaping the defence. Midfield was strong with Tielemans from Aston Villa, Vermeeren from Atletico Madrid, and Vranckx from VFL Wolfsburg. The forward trio included Bakayoko from PSV Eindhoven, Openda from RB Leipzig, and Trossard from Arsenal. Half-time substitutions at the 46-minute mark included Doku from Manchester City for Trossard, Meunier from Trabzonspor for Tielemans, and Batshuayi from Fenerbahce for Castagne. Later in the game, De Winter and Bakayoko were replaced by Onana from Everton and Lukébakio at 64 minutes into the game, while Sels was substituted by Kaminski from Luton Town at the 83rd minute. Officiating the game was referee Rohit Saggi from Norway.