John O'Shea: 'No sharpness from his team? We had the best chances'

Paul Corcoran reports from the Aviva Stadium

The Republic of Ireland secured a 0-0 draw with Belgium on Saturday evening in Dublin, in what was a fine performance for the Boys in Green.

Belgian boss Domenico Tedesco had said in his post-match talk with the assembled media that it had been a poor-quality affair – with a lack of sharpness throughout the ninety minutes.

This was put to Ireland interim manager John O’Shea as he spoke after the game.

“No sharpness from his team? We had the best chances,” O’Shea told the press in the Aviva Stadium.

“We were aware beforehand, well, we were kind of thinking that they were going to go that 4-4-3 shape.

“Obviously, look, we knew the talented squad that they have that they made changes. And the players that they have obviously coming on were talented youngsters as well playing at top clubs around Europe too.

“So, there's going to be a challenge. But when you saw the couple of chances, the big chances we created early on. It was exactly what we worked from, to be compact, aggressive look for the 10s, look for the opposite 10s combined and it was a shame. We didn't get the rewards in the sense from that first half especially, and that was a big thing for me.”

The major chance for Ireland came in the first half when Ireland won a penalty, Evan Ferguson stepped up to take the spot kick but the striker had his shot saved by Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels, although he appeared to slip on his run up.

O’Shea was quick to praise the young striker and his ability to pick himself back up after that effort.

“Youngster stepping up like that in front. It shows obviously the courage he has, and he didn't let it affect him. He knocked into the centre backs as soon as he could again got his confidence going and it's one of those things.

“He was unlucky with one, he got himself in a great position in the second-half as well. That's what we talked about at halftime quickly about the reset really go at Belgium as quick as we could, worked a nice little kick off.

“And it was a really great ball from Robbie, and it was unlucky, probably just a touch too high. But Ev might have timed it a little bit better, but touch too high as well. He was unlucky with it. It was a well worked move.”

For Ireland, they can definitely be pleased with their performance against one of the top ranked teams in the world, especially holding them scoreless.

That being said, it was very possible that Ireland could have gotten a little bit more from that game had things gone their way.

“It's a frustrating one because yeah, you appreciate Belgium had a decent bit of possession, but we kind of felt beforehand that we didn't mind that in a sense because we knew the damage we could create again against them on the break.

“And if you take those chances when they arrived in the game, I think that even opens up Belgium a little bit more for us and we can exploit that even more so.

“Frustrating one in that sense. But yeah, look, you're playing Belgium in Dublin, you take a clean sheet but a little bit disappointed in the end too.”

International friendly report: Republic of Ireland 0 - 0 Belgium https://t.co/aVqNlHrl0cpic.twitter.com/zuEJm1JiB8

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 23, 2024