Browne is level best for Kenny battling heroes
SCORING late goals is not a bad habit to get into – and Stephen Kenny’s Ireland are developing one.
Substitute Alan Browne produced a bullet header in the 85th minute to earn a draw with Belgium, levelling for the second time in a game that they just wouldn’t give up on.
Only a friendly, perhaps, and against what was effectively Belgium’s B Team, but as the Irish boss sets about instilling a new confidence and belief in this country, this was another indication he is on the right track.
Not that it was perfect. The visitors had it all their own way for the first 35 minutes and their goal in the 12th minute through Michy Batshuayi was top class.
Jason Denayer won a loose ball in the air, Youri Tielemans picked it up fed Hans Vananken.
He didn’t even have to look up to know that Batshuayi, still a Chelsea player and on his fourth loan away from Stamford Bridge, had drifted wide.
He took one touch and before Seamus Coleman or Matt Doherty could get close, and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher could get set, the ball was in the net.
It was lethal efficiency from back to front and yet for all their control thereafter, Belgium didn’t quite have the gumption to carve
Ireland open and the hosts were able to get back in it.
Centre-back John Egan drove Ireland forward. Callum Robinson set up Matt Doherty then Shane Duffy went close.
That is when Chiedozie Ogbene (below) came alive, producing a super overhead kick to put Ireland level.
That led to Kenny’s men upping the pace and they were almost ahead two minutes after the re-start.
Coleman surged forward to close Leander Dendoncker down, slid a pass forward that deflected into the path of Jason Knight, who crossed. James Mcclean followed up with a shot that was cleared off the line. Belgium got a slice of good fortune to re-take the lead from a Thorgan Hazard corner.
Vanaken rose highest in the box, his header deflecting in off Coleman.
That sucker punch came in the 58th minute and by the time Ireland made some changes there was 15 minutes left on the clock.
Wigan Athletic striker Will Keane came on for Knight, while Preston midfielder Browne replaced Hendrick.
And it was Browne who grabbed the goal, rising highest in the box to give Ireland a well-earned draw.