'Rectify the result' - Ogbene rues missed chance in Yerevan

Chiedozie Ogbene said the Republic of Ireland have to learn from the defeat in Armenia, pick themselves up and rectify the result following the team's shocking defeat in Yerevan.

Ireland opened their Nations League campaign against the group’s lowest ranked side and came unstuck at the first hurdle, going down to Eduard Spertsyan’s 74th-minute strike, which proved to be the match-winner for the host nation.

Stephen Kenny’s side dominated possession and controlled the game, most notably in the first half, but they were unable to take the chances that presented themselves with the attacking unit guilty of profligacy in the opening 45 minutes, unable to test keeper David Yurchenko.

In fact, it took Ireland 62 minutes to work a chance on goal, as Shane Duffy’s tame header was easily dealt with, while the only other time they hit the target was a weak Jeff Hendrick effort that was also handy for the keeper.

Ogbene was named Ireland’s player of the match for his tireless work throughout, and looked like the man that was causing most problems for the solid Armenia defence.

And yet the Rotherham forward spurned what was without doubt Ireland’s best opportunity to score throughout the 90 minutes as he guided a close-range free header just over the bar.

"I was very disappointed with myself not to hit the target, especially from that close," admitted an upfront and honest Ogbene, speaking to RTÉ Sport after the game.

"You create those chances, you have to put them away, otherwise you feel like this after a difficult day."

Ogbene gave credit to Armenia for both creating and taking the main chance that they were presented throughout the game, and rued his side’s missed efforts, emphasising the need to be more clinical in the final third.

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