Martin O'Neill declared himself satisfied with Republic of Ireland's 1-1 draw against Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium, even though Luuk de Jong's late header pegged the hosts back.
ADVERTISEMENT
O'Neill pleased with Ireland draw
Republic of Ireland's 1-1 draw with Netherlands in Dublin left manager Martin O'Neill pleased despite his side conceding a late equaliser.
___5075333___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5075333___2016___5___28___4___martinoneill-cropped_rvla8d5plu5p11hwfiz6f5rmo
Recommended articles
Shane Long bundled Ireland into the lead from a Robbie Brady corner after half an hour in Dublin, but De Jong nodded in Jetro Willems' cross with five minutes to go to snatch a draw for the visitors.
Ireland's first of two friendlies ahead of Euro 2016 - where they face Belgium, Italy and Sweden - saw Brady's set-pieces cause plenty of problems for Netherlands, but O'Neill accepted it was disappointing to concede a late goal.
"A bit disappointed to concede at the end, but overall I was really pleased," O'Neill said, adding he will not trim his squad to a final 23 before Tuesday's friendly against Belarus.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It'll be highly unlikely [he will cut the squad]. Everyone goes to Cork.
"It's good for us to get the game organised and I think it'll be nice for the people of Cork."
O'Neill confirmed that strikers Robbie Keane and Daryl Murphy will play against Belarus and singled out Harry Arter and Brady for particular praise after their fine performances.
"He's had a tough year with injury, but I think we'll see the best to come from Harry," O'Neill said. "I'm hoping he will be around for a long time.
"[Brady] is a very fine footballer, he's important to us and he is growing in stature."
ADVERTISEMENT
The Ireland manager also looked ahead to Euro 2016, with an opening game against Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden to come for O'Neill's men.
"We will see," O'Neill said. "It is a very important game and it'd be nice to get off to a good start.
"[Zlatan] has been a very fine player for a very long time. We need to be very careful.
"We have to go to those games thinking we can compete, otherwise we may just stay at home."
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
RTU suspends coach Abdulai Mumin over match-fixing allegations
Hearts of Oak are better off playing with an empty post than using Richard Attah – Taylor
Sorry for causing you a lot of pain – Dr. Prosper Ogum apologizes to Kotoko fans
Govt hasn't paid us – African Games gold medalist Winnifred Ntumi 'cries' out
Dumsor is part of the reasons why we lost against Legon Cities – Hearts of Oak coach
Black Stars midfielder Daniel Kofi Kyereh to miss rest of season due to injury
Erling Haaland won’t get into Hearts of Oak's starting line-up – Charles Taylor
Kotoko fan bought me a car after being impressed with my performance – Inkoom
