Ireland put a scare into host France when it scored a goal in the second minute of their UEFA Euro 2016 knockout round match on Sunday.
Advertisement
Didier Deschamps (France coach): “I knew it was going to be a hard match, and when Ireland took the lead it made us a bit more uncomfortable in the first half”.
Ireland were playing a unsafe game, whether by choice or by necessity, of defending too deep, and with the quality that France possess in Pogba, Payet and Griezmann, they must have sensed it was only a matter of time before they got their opening goal. The combination of fatigue following the Italy victory on Wednesday, the sweltering conditions in the stadium and a re-jigging of a talented French side in the second-half would prove too much for O’Neill’s side.
“But you’ve got to keep grinding out results, whether we’re playing 100 per cent as we were against Russian Federation or against Northern Ireland when we were off it a bit”. “To play a part is special”.
“With their emotion this French team is making everyone fall in love with them”. “There’s lots of emotion here in Lyon and we really need this great support from the fans”.
The Watkins family, originally from Ystradgynlais but now living in Hampshire, have been to every one of Wales’ Euro 2016 matches so far, with David and Tom set to return for Friday’s quarter-final with Belgium in Lille. Boateng sent the Germans the right way with an early goal after just 8 minutes. “It’s just disappointing at the minute”.
Darren Randolph’s two brilliant second half saves to deny Blaise Matuidi might seal him a place in the popular consciousness for something other than being Mr. Rochelle Humes before she got together with Marvin.
THE Republic of Ireland soccer team have been given the welcome they deserve as the arrived back into Dublin Airport earlier this afternoon. The No10 went close twice more in the final stages and Griezmann fired straight at the goalkeeper, but France had already done enough.
“We’ll reflect on some positive things, and also things we know we can improve on going forward”.
O’Neill said: “Sweden got us off to a fantastic start, even though it was only one point”. The Spanish have the best attacking game we’ve seen over recent years. “The two sides differ but they are both real favorites”. Indeed Belgium opened the score after just 9 minutes but failed after to add on to the lead which gave plenty of confidence to the Hungarians. Hungary had many chances to level the match but could not find the target.
Advertisement
No quarter was asked or given as things got heated on the pitch with four yellow cards dished out in the first-half. Sometimes you can finish a tournament and it feels like the squad is ageing but to have lads coming in and perform the way they have, hopefully we’re in good stead for September.
