“Yes, 100pc, especially the way we played in the first half pushing forward”, he said.
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Either team could have won it, however as the final whistle blew, Ireland and Sweden took a point each in a fairly frantic and action-packed 1-1 draw. They were great, really great, and should have been in the lead.
Describing his third worldwide goal as “one of the best of his career”, Hoolahan said Ireland would have to learn not to sit back as they did after dominating Sweden for the first 60 minutes.
Seamus Coleman’s run and cross deserved to result in a goal, but the quality of Wes Hoolahan’s finish was something to behold as he expertly guided a half-volleyed shot wide of keeper Andreas Isaksson and inside the far post to spark mass celebrations.
Even if he couldn’t get a goal and set a European Championship scoring record, the 34-year-old Ibrahimovic helped rescue a 1-1 draw after being stifled by an impressive Ireland for most of the match.
That opening came from Robbie Brady’s corner, and the Norwich man fired inches too high after he had cut inside and gone for goal right-footed with 28 minutes played. “I’m naturally disappointed – and so are the players in there – that instead of having three points, we have got one on the board, so we’ll have to try to do something about it in the next two games”. Ireland’s constant pressure was rewarded soon into the second half as they grabbed a 1-0 lead through a sublime Wes Hoolahan strike – the Swedish, however, found a new energy and started to dictate play for the first time in the match. “But the boys should be proud of themselves”. “Ireland did well protecting their area and keeping him (Ibrahimovic) away from that goal”.
However, the Swedes equalised in the 71st minute as Ciaran Clark turned a Zlatan Ibrahimovic cross into his own net. “I’d say he’d really would be doubtful for the second game”, O’Neill told FAI TV.
In a group where Belgium and Italy are favored, a point for each team leaves their Euro 2016 prospects uncertain.
“We passed quicker, we made better use of moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other; we made better use of our left-back Martin Olsson”. Indeed, the Irish looked the more likely to score as the game went on.
Ireland’s next fixture is against Belgium in Bordeaux on Saturday.
Just as Ireland looked to have steadied the ship though, Zlatan was the central player in dragging Erik Hamren’s side level after what was their slickest piece of play in the match with 20 minutes remaining.
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“But he’s here now so I think people just need to tune in and watch the best of him because he’s a top-class player”.
