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Netherlands carry same threat as France – Republic of Ireland’s Chiedozie Ogbene
Netherlands carry same threat as France – Republic of Ireland’s Chiedozie Ogbene
Chiedozie Ogbene has warned the Republic of Ireland they must expect the Netherlands to be every bit as good as France as they head into Sunday’s do-or-die Euro 2024 qualifier in Dublin. The 26-year-old Luton frontman and his team-mates were back on home soil on Friday, still licking their wounds after a 2-0 Group B defeat in Paris in which they were subjected to the full armoury at Didier Deschamps’ disposal. With only three points banked from their first four games – and those from a 3-0 victory over Gibraltar – anything less than a win against the Dutch would leave their qualification hopes in tatters. But asked if they could a least hope Ronald Koeman’s side would not be as powerful as the French, Ogbene said: “I think they will be as good. “The Dutch have good experience in this competition. We’ll take nothing for granted. We’ll do our homework and try and get a positive result because that is what we need right now. Any sort of good result to help us control our destiny in this competition. “Nothing is over until it is over. We like to control our destiny. If we don’t get a positive result, it is out of our hands.” Ireland were taught a brutal lesson at the Parc des Princes by the side ranked second in the world and had to defend for dear life to stay within touching distance. The Netherlands are only five places worse off, while Ireland sit in 53rd place in the table and the trip to Paris proved a bruising one. We all want to qualify for Germany and do well for the nation Chiedozie Ogbene However, Ogbene knows there is only so much time to reflect before minds have to focus once again. He said: “It’s difficult for some players because everyone is emotionally engaged in this competition. We all want to qualify for Germany and do well for the nation. “It’s not as easy as it says, just to move on to Sunday. We have to do it. We have 24 hours (for it) to sink in and let our thoughts run wild. “After 24 hours, you have to move on because we have a big game on Sunday. If we win that, we’re back in the running.” Manager Stephen Kenny is hoping that is exactly what happens with knives being sharpened at the prospect of the campaign effectively ending with three games to go. For a generation of Ireland supporters, memories of a famous 1-0 World Cup qualifier win over a Dutch side which included Edwin Van Der Sar, Jaap Stam, Marc Overmars, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Patrick Kluivert at Lansdowne Road in September 2001 remain vivid and a repeat could hardly be more timely. Kenny said: “I was a supporter in the crowd at that game. It was an unbelievable performance all right and a great win and a famous win, of course. “That team was a really top-class Irish team. But from our point of view, that’s what we need to do. We have got to believe that we can put in the performance that can get the result we need.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Steve Clarke says Ryan Porteous block was highlight of Scotland’s win in Cyprus Harry Kane hopes for club and country delight in bid to end trophy hoodoo Connor Roberts knows Wales may not qualify for every major tournament
2023-09-09 06:27
Allen and the Bills bounce back from a season-opening dud with 38-10 rout of the Las Vegas Raiders
Allen and the Bills bounce back from a season-opening dud with 38-10 rout of the Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Allen rebounded from a four-turnover, season-opening dud by throwing three touchdown passes and leading the Buffalo Bills to a 38-10 rout of the Las Vegas Raiders
2023-09-18 04:19
MLB Rumors: 3 reasons the Cardinals will bounce back in 2024
MLB Rumors: 3 reasons the Cardinals will bounce back in 2024
A disastrous season for the Cardinals is almost over. Here's why they'll be more prepared next year and won't let this happen again.
2023-09-30 02:21
Cardinals rumors: Jack Flaherty trade fell through, Willson Contreras safe, Waino on 200
Cardinals rumors: Jack Flaherty trade fell through, Willson Contreras safe, Waino on 200
It was been a rough season for the St. Louis Cardinals. Today's rumors slate involves a failed Jack Flaherty trade, Willson Contreras' future, and Waino on 200.
2023-09-14 04:15
FIFA to examine alleged racism incidents from two international matches
FIFA to examine alleged racism incidents from two international matches
FIFA is set to examine reports on two separate instances of alleged racism in international matches played on Monday. The Republic of Ireland Under-21s’ match against Kuwait Under-22s in Austria was called off after an allegation that a Kuwaiti player racially abused one of Ireland’s substitutes. The senior international between New Zealand and Qatar, also in Austria, was cut short after the New Zealand Football Association said one of its players, Michael Boxall, had a racist remark directed at him in the first half by a Qatari opponent. Even though the Ireland match was a tier two friendly and not requiring formal FIFA approval to be played, the fact that the Football Association of Ireland said in a tweet on Monday evening it would be reporting the matter to FIFA would oblige the game’s global governing body to investigate. The New Zealand match was played under FIFA jurisdiction, meaning the referee’s report will be sent to the global governing body as a matter of course. FIFA would be expected to take a tough stance if one or both of the allegations are found proven. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last week: “It’s very important not just to talk about racism and discrimination, but to take action in a decisive and convincing manner – zero tolerance. “There is no football if there is racism – so let’s stop the games. “The referees have this opportunity in FIFA competitions as we have this process for stopping the game, and actions have to be taken at every level, at national level as well.” Infantino made the remarks after meeting with the Brazil squad in Barcelona, including Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior who has been on the receiving end of repeated racial abuse in Spain this year. The Football Association of Ireland posted a tweet on Monday which read: “The FAI regrets to announce that today’s U21 international against Kuwait has been abandoned after a racist remark was made by a Kuwaiti player towards one of our substitutes. “The FAI does not tolerate any racism towards any of our players or staff and will be reporting this serious matter to FIFA and UEFA.” The Kuwaiti federation published a tweet in which Olympic football team director Jarrah Al Ateeqi claimed the match had been abandoned “due to roughness and excessive tension between the players”. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live It’s been an awful few days – ‘Emotional’ Fred Wright eyes first British title Rob Page urges Wales to improve discipline against opponents ‘good at dark arts’ French police searching headquarters of Paris 2024 organising committee
2023-06-20 19:27
Japan and Samoa want to grab their last chance and hold on to it
Japan and Samoa want to grab their last chance and hold on to it
Japan and Samoa clash in Group D on Thursday both knowing they need to win to keep their quarter-final hopes alive and both insisting they...
2023-09-28 00:17
Diamondbacks Fan Does Cannonball Into Ballpark Pool After Game 4 Home Run
Diamondbacks Fan Does Cannonball Into Ballpark Pool After Game 4 Home Run
A Diamondbacks fan dove into the outfield pool after a late-inning home run.
2023-11-01 11:47
Wheeler working on no-hitter for Phillies through 7 innings against Tigers
Wheeler working on no-hitter for Phillies through 7 innings against Tigers
Zack Wheeler has not allowed a hit through seven innings for the Philadelphia Phillies against the Detroit Tigers
2023-06-09 07:54
Buffon takes up Italy national team role
Buffon takes up Italy national team role
Gianluigi Buffon has taken a role with the Italian national football team, the goalkeeping great announced on Saturday three days...
2023-08-06 00:29
How tall is Hasbulla? Tiktoker once met NBA player Shaquille O’Neal, said he 'doesn’t care if I’m short’
How tall is Hasbulla? Tiktoker once met NBA player Shaquille O’Neal, said he 'doesn’t care if I’m short’
Hasbulla has become extremely famous online for his TikTok videos and has become the subject of countless memes
2023-09-08 16:48
USC's Bronny James cleared by doctors for return to basketball 4 months after cardiac arrest
USC's Bronny James cleared by doctors for return to basketball 4 months after cardiac arrest
Bronny James has been cleared by doctors for a full return to basketball four months after suffering a cardiac arrest
2023-12-01 03:58
Heavy rains flood Chicago roads, NASCAR ends downtown street race and names winner
Heavy rains flood Chicago roads, NASCAR ends downtown street race and names winner
Heavy rains have flooded Chicago streets and forced the cancellation of a NASCAR race set to run through the city's downtown
2023-07-03 02:28