For O’Neill’s men, victory against Italy is the key.
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Found the going hard against Belgium’s classy wingers, Eden Hazard and Carrasco, and struggled to impose himself in an attacking sense until Ireland were forced to chase the game when he caused a few problems for Jan Vertonghen.
Martin O’Neill believes he will have no difficulty in lifting his downcast squad for Wednesday night’s must-win European Championship encounter against Italy in Lille after a torturous afternoon in Bordeaux.
“I’m 47, I enjoy my job and wanted to put these kids on the right path”.
Belgium plays Sweden next while Ireland meets Italy, which has now won the group.
Wes Hoolahan, whose goal against Sweden nearly got Ireland’s tournament off to the best possible start, came to the rescue three minutes before the break when he headed off the line after Alderweireld had connected with another De Bruyne corner.
Their speed and fluidity improved, with the introduction of Thomas Meunier and Yannick Carrasco giving them a menace out wide which had been missing in their opener.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots, left, and scorer Romelu Lukaku, center, celebrate the opening goal during the Euro 2016 Group E soccer match between Belgium and Ireland at the Nouveau Stade in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, June 18, 2016.
Belgium began to dominate, with De Bruyne’s teasing delivery forcing a diving header from John O’Shea on 20 minutes, which inadvertently set up Eden Hazard to fire over.
Ireland struggled to retain possession and were repeatedly hit on the counter-attack and they will have to be considerably better against the Italians if they are to fix the damage.
Kevin De Bruyne is clearly instrumental to their hopes but despite him being afforded too much time and space by Ireland it wasn’t until the second half their front four began to click.
The goal seemed to release the pressure on Belgium, who celebrated furiously with Wilmots in the corner while their supporters threw flares onto the pitch.
– Republic of Ireland failed to have a shot on target in a major tournament game for the first time since the 1994 World Cup (vs Norway).
Of 23-year-old striker Romelu Lukaku, the coach added: “He scored four goals in his last four matches, but when he missed opportunity against Italy, people were (criticising him)”.
Meunier, again influential, dispossessed McClean and sent a long ball forward for Hazard down the right.
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Belgium are back in business, and so is Lukaku. As a team we had to give a response to everybody who watched the game against Italy. “The way we responded was good and we really deserved this victory”.
