It was EURO fourth
day and for the squads of Group E and their long awaited moment just came for
all of them in the field of play, among two of them were the Republic of
Ireland and Sweden squads opening the hostilities in Stade de France. As the
City of Lights suddenly turned in Green and Yellow, the stage was on for the
Boys from Erin to make their much-anticipated presentation.
For Manager Martin O’
Neill its was show time for him and his Green Army to make the impossible and
start generating in what many see the impossible task of his squad of doing anything
spectacular in what many have labeled it as a group of death.
A date with destiny
and for the Green Army Boss Martin O’ Neill this was the day to start putting
in practice what he started in the qualifiers- after his squad netted a spot in
the last minute and in a brilliant way.
This time was for
real and for the Boys in Green, their moment in Euro had arrived and as they
say, there is no such thing than an easy foe, but for the Irish having their
first match against a hardened Swedish National squad along with their talisman
player Zlatan Ibramovich. Today’s match was a genuine challenge for Manager O’Neill
and his initial eleven.
Nothing difficult as the Green Army during the qualifiers, showing off
their mettle and will power when they defeated a one tough customer in the German
National squad to keep the hopes alive at the end when they really did the ultimate
of miracles.
Facing a very tough Swedish initial eleven and its weapons in Larseen
and Ibra, the day was not to be a field day for the Greens backfield as well its
keeper working in overtime in his attempt to stop the push of the Swedes all
around attack. This time the Boys in Green came ready and determined to play a
match with the likes of a final and showing off a lot of hunger.
Something not seen from a Republic of Ireland squad after their
previous Euro fiasco in the Trappatoni era,
now the Green Army showed off a different squad with plenty of ambition,
drive and hunger to start something big
in this edition. Alongside of trying their best with a volley of shoots to beat
the posts defended by keeper Isaksson, the Greens looked like a force not to mess
with!
Very well, playing a spectacular football and dominant at times, any thought
the Irish squad was to score in anytime of this match by the way many of its players
started generating many key plays. With a 4-3-2-1 formation that O’ Neill sent
and with a veteran foursome in the backfield in Seamus Coleman, John O’ Shea,
Ciaran Clark and Robbie Brady to defendnthe posts of Darren Randolph.
A strategy that worked wonders for the Boys in Green Boss, until the fatidic
play that Villa Ciaran Clark put in his own net for the equalizer, despite that
the Ireland squad really showed off its mettle and all around fighting spirit
all match long.
As O’ Neill sent its players in many plays that really consumed the
game clock in his squad favor, after all the formation sent and with a lone
midfield in the middle it was a well-placed strategy, when Wes Hoolahan put his
squad ahead in the 47th minute. If that play did not happened in the
71st but the way Ibra place it for Clark to bite the bait and the
rest is history.
A point is a point but for O’ Neill being situated in hells group he
would love the three points of gold, still with their upcoming match against
the Red Devils of Belgium on Saturday 18th and then on Wednesday June
22 to close down against Italy.
Once again, many critics lash out at Belgium poor performance and being
as a disappointment, this is the opportunity for the Boys in Green to make
history with a win and a loss of Sweden to Italy, to clinch a spot for the next
rounds.
So far, Group E standings are Italy with a win is ahead with three points,
tied in second with one point apiece are Sweden and the Republic of Ireland and
in last with no points in the bottom is Belgium.
The way the Green Army is playing for sure, they can deliver the big surprise
in this edition of EURO and advance into the next rounds nothing written as
well anything can happen. One big ooprtunity waits for Martin O’ Neill and his
Boys of the Foireann peile
náisiúnta Phoblacht na hÉireann to shine on and make all around history!
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Credit and Property of © Telegraph Media Group 2016
Photos Credit and Property of © FAI
Federation Association of Ireland 2016
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