Ogbene: Poor Start Made It a Hard Battle - Ipswich Town News
Blues winger Chiedozie Ogbene felt the Republic of Ireland’s poor start made their 2-0 defeat to England in Dublin “a hard battle”.
Ogbene was named the official Player of the Match following the UEFA Nations League defeat as he won his 21st cap.
"I think we gave ourselves a hard battle from day one,” he told RTÉ Sport. "The first 20 minutes, just a poor start, two balls in behind cost us the game ultimately.
"The gaffer in the second half said just stay in the game as much as possible, I felt like the second half we were more on the front foot trying to get pressure on them.
"The damage was done first half obviously, a quality nation, we know where they're ranked in the world but ultimately the first half is the reason why we lost the game today.”
Ogbene admitted he ought to have done better with a rebound opportunity just prior to Declan Rice giving England the lead, Jordan Pickford having saved from fellow Town forward Sammie Szmodics.
"I should have gone first time,” he reflected. "Something the manager said, I wanted a perfect shot, set it up right, but sometimes you have to trust the effort and put my foot through it.
"We had some moments, but just maybe the final ball to end could have helped us in the game.
"We live and we learn against a great nation like this. We have to look to Tuesday against the likes of Greece, these will be our battles, the likes of Greece and Finland.
"With the support that we had to today, [we have to] come out and give it our all and hopefully get some results.”
What to read next:
On-Loan Slicker Saves Two PenaltiesTown keeper Cieran Slicker saved two penalties to help his loan side Barnet to a 2-1 victory away against Crewe Alexandra in League Two this afternoon.
U18s Hammered at PalaceTown’s U18s fell to an 8-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ Copers Cope training ground this morning.
Sheehan: An Exciting OccasionIpswich Town Women play their first game at their new home, Colchester United’s Jobserve Community Stadium, on Sunday afternoon when Nottingham Forest visit in WSL2 (KO 2pm).
Peake: We'll Learn QuicklyWhen Ipswich Town Women make their eagerly anticipated first WSL2 appearance at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester on Sunday, defender Paige Peake will be making her second home debut for the club having rejoined after three years away playing for Southampton.
Selles: We Fell ApartSheffield United boss Ruben Selles admitted his side fell apart after Town’s second goal during last night’s 5-0 hammering at Portman Road.
McKenna: A Good Night But Still a Lot to Work OnBoss Kieran McKenna hailed Town’s 5-0 hammering of Sheffield United as a good night for the players and supporters and believes it was an important victory, but says there’s a lot still to work on.
Philogene: A Special Performance For MeTown winger Jaden Philogene hailed a special performance as he struck his first senior hat-trick in the Blues’ 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United at Portman Road.
Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Match ReportJaden Philogene hit a hat-trick as Town ended their long wait for a home league win by thrashing Sheffield United 5-0 at Portman Road. Philogene opened the scoring in the 20th minute, then added an even better second on 51, before George Hirst made the most of dreadful defending to net the third in the 61st minute. Philogene completed his treble with his best of the night seven minutes later, before Jack Clarke completed a great night for Town, whose last home league win was against Chelsea on December 30th, on 78.