The Republic of Ireland began their 2016 European Championship campaign with a point against Sweden at the Stade de France.
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Seamus Coleman jinked inside from the right flank before sending over an out-swinging cross that Hoolahan powered into the net on the half-volley.
“As a team, we got better after the first 50 minutes, so they had some opportunities and he was also involved in the goal that we scored”.
As captain of a team otherwise lacking in star quality, Ibrahimovic, set to play in his fourth European Championship, admits there is great responsibility on his shoulders.
O’Neill described Ireland’s first-half showing as “explosive” although it took until the opening moments of the second period for Norwich playmaker Wes Hoolahan to fire the Irish into a deserved lead, only for Clark’s intervention to ensure spoils were shared.
Speaking about his team, Hoolahan thought his team-mates played commendably: “Fair play to the boys out there today, they were magnificent, unlucky not to get their three points in the end, but we’ll take the point”.
O’Neill turned to his record goal scorer Robbie Keane for some inspiration off the bench with side struggling to match the intensity of the first-half.
Ireland’s last game at the Stade de France ended in tears as they saw their chance of a trip to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa stolen from them by the hand of Thierry Henry and they were in no mood to leave heartbroken once again.
They created far more chances and went close several times when Jeff Hendrick forced a good save from Sweden’s goalkeeper and then crashed a shot against the bar.
Goalscorer Hoolahan told BBC One: “Getting a goal for Ireland in the Euros is a great achievement”.
The Irish began to tire as the encounter went on and the Swedes looked more likely to grab a victor, but the Green Army’s defence stood strong to deny Ibrahimovic & Co. and grab a point in their opening Group E match of EURO 2016.
“You could see that (Martin) O’Neill trusted his players”.
The 34-year-old scuttled clear of O’Shea, and his cross was inadvertently headed into the net by the unfortunate Clark. “I have good chemistry with all the players, I work for them and they work for me”.
Central defence is the one exception with Shane Duffy’s outstanding performances in the March friendly games not quite enough to play him into the starting line up on this occasion.
GOAL THREAT Ultimately, Long was unable to provide this.
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“Once you go 1-0 up the chance is there to win the game”, Walters said. He says the first game of a tournament is “vital whoever you are”.
