Didi Hamann didn’t hold back in his assessment of Ireland’s poor first half display in their 2-1 defeat to Norway.
In the first of two friendlies in four days, Ireland took on Norway with both sides failing to qualify for the World Cup. With a tough group in the Euro 2024 qualifying coming up, Stephen Kenny would have hoped for a positive display.
However, the first half was poor from Ireland, creating very little in possession and conceding a poor goal defensively from a corner that will be very concerning.
While Ireland’s performance vastly improved in the second half, Didi Hamann labelled Ireland’s first half performance unacceptable.
Didi Hamann is particularly strident in his criticism of a first-half performance from Ireland that he regards as "unacceptable". #IRLNOR
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“I’ve seen some bad stuff over the years, but this is as bad as I’ve seen from this Ireland team over the years. It’s pedestrian, it’s slow.
They talk about possession, you’ve got to penetrate because if you don’t penetrate, you don’t hurt the opposition. Out of these 292 passes they’ve probably made 250 in their own half.
You need to have a purpose, and Norway showed that when they do have the ball they penetrated, they play forward, they’ve got a purpose. I’ve got to say, I feel a bit sorry for the 4- odd thousand that are here because they certainly deserve better.
How do you expect them to give their all against France in March if you play a half like this?"
Ireland V Norway-How It Happened
In a very uneventful first half, it was Norway who played the better football and deservedly took the lead through Leo Ostigard's header, after some poor defending from Ireland.
Ireland performed better in the second half and chances to equalise through Alan Browne and John Egan. Browne made up for his earlier miss with a brilliant goal from 25 yards to draw Ireland level.
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Norway - Alan Browne equalises for Ireland with a fabulous finish from outside the area. #IRLNOR
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However, they couldn't build on their equaliser and conceded a second goal from Norway through Ohi Omoijuanfo, with some further poor defending from a set piece by Ireland.
Republic of Ireland 1-2 Norway - Ohi Omoijuanfo restores Norway's lead. #IRLNOR
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After tonight's defeat Stephen Kenny's side take on Malta on Sunday evening, their last game before qualifying for Euro 2024 gets underway.
SEE ALSO: Seamus Coleman Shows His Class With Brillaint Moment Before Norway Game
