International friendly: Republic lose to Norway in Dublin

Ireland's John Egan reacts to a missed chance
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 18th Nov 2022

The Republic fell to a 2-1 defeat to Norway in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin last night (Thursday).

Substitute Ohi Omoijuanfo snatched a winner for the visitors, who were without superstar striker Erling Haaland, late on in what was their last home game of the year.

Leo Ostigard had given Norway an early lead before Alan Browne's equaliser.

Then Omoijuanfo struck from close range with five minutes left on the clock.

Stephen Kenny's side now head for Malta on Sunday knowing there are issues to address before they open their Euro 2024 campaign in March with a daunting fixture against France.

Asked about his hopes of hitting the ground running in March, the manager said: "It's a completely different game tactically in March.

"We did a lot of things well tonight, but our defending for both set-pieces... We knew he Ostigard was really good in the air, we have seen it for Napoli. We know what he does and it wasn't good enough.

"But the second goal, we have six against three and Nathan Collins has headed it against the player and he scored. It's a bad goal that we conceded."