Republic of Ireland vs Netherlands. International Match.
Aviva Stadium.
Saturday 28 May 2016 08:58, UK
Republic of Ireland were denied victory in their penultimate friendly before Euro 2016 after conceding a late goal to draw 1-1 with the Netherlands.
In a tight game at the Aviva Stadium, Shane Long opened the scoring, converting from close range on the half-hour mark after John O'Shea's header had been saved.
But substitute Luuk de Jong levelled for an inexperienced Dutch side in the 85th minute as he headed in from Jetro Willems' cross.
Ireland now turn their attentions to their final friendly against Belarus on Tuesday, after which Martin O'Neill will name his 23-man squad for the European Championship.
Harry Arter and Stephen Quinn were among those handed starts against the Dutch, while Ipswich striker David McGoldrick played in a deeper role behind Jon Walters and Long.
Bournemouth midfielder Arter was into the action early as he was penalised for a sliding challenge on Kevin Strootman, making his first international appearance in over two years.
It was the visitors who enjoyed the best of the opening 20 minutes, dominating possession and forcing Ireland on to the back foot.
But goalkeeper Darren Randolph remained untroubled as the hosts held their shape well and left no room behind.
After withstanding the early pressure, Ireland took the lead after half an hour when Robbie Brady's corner was headed goalwards by O'Shea and goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen could only deflect it out, giving Long the chance to bundle home from close range.
The Dutch did not threaten a response before the break and could have fallen further behind in the second half.
Jonathan Walters saw a header saved by Cillessen and Shane Duffy headed over the bar after rising above Jeffrey Bruma.
Both sides made several changes, with Darren Gibson and Jeff Hendrick coming on for Ireland and Eunan O'Kane replacing his Bournemouth team-mate Arter.
Duffy again went close from a corner but the Dutch found their feet in the final quarter and, after Bas Dost headed wide, they got the equaliser when De Jong was left unmarked to head past Randolph.
