Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Browne & doubt for goal hero
ALAN BROWNE said last night’s defeat took the shine off his latest Ireland goal.
The midfielder has developed a knack for popping up in the final third and now has five goals in 26 appearances for his country.
Ultimately, however, it’s about the result – and last night Ireland fell short against Norway.
“It’s always nice to score for your country and it’s an amazing feeling. But the feeling at the end of the game is one of loss and nobody likes losing,” said the Preston midfielder.
“The performance and the result are ultimately the most important things and I don’t think we had either of those things in the 90 minutes.”
The nature of the goals conceded – both off set-pieces – was particularly disappointing.
The first-half was a dull affair, with Norway providing the only moment of note when Leo Ostigard headed home Martin Odegard’s corner.
The Boys in Green were much better after the break, but conceded from another Odegard delivery late in the game.
“I’m pleased with the goal but more disappointed with the performance overall,” Browne said.
“The second half was much improved but we didn’t take the chances that came our way and we were punished by set-pieces.”
Asked why the first-half was so flat, he replied: “It’s always difficult when a team sits in and they’re compact.
“Their game plan was to nullify and they did it quite well because we couldn’t break them down, but as I said we came out second half and changed a few things, made a few tweaks.
“But I think we were the better team for large portions of the second half and it’s another set-piece, which is disappointing from our point of view, that cost us. Overall I don’t think we were good enough to win the game.”