Ciaran Clark – Sweden’s best forward

Republic of Ireland showed a solid performance against Sweden in their first match of UEFA Euro 2016, but Martin O’Neill’s players recorded a 1-1 draw against The Blue-Yellow team. The Green Army were more active during the first half of the match. The experienced centre back John O’Shea was very close to get to the ball after a great cross in the box, but he couldn’t reach it. Jeff Hendrick made two good attempts towards Andreas Isaksson’s goal. Brady also tried his luck but his shot went over the bar. The midfielder, Hendrick, even was denied by the crossbar. So, the Swedes were happy that the score at the half time was 0-0.

Just 3 minutes after the break, Seamus Coleman showed great skills, going through the Swedish midfielder Forsberg on the right and crossed the ball perfectly. 34-year-old midfielder Wesley Hoolahan was totally unmarked in the box and sent the ball in the net with a very nice shot. 1-0!

Sweden needed about 50 minutes to show they can threaten Darren Randolph. But the Swedes won only several corners before the 70th minute. It seemed that they will have serious problem to find Randolph’s net. Ciaran Clark of Aston Villa was the only man to threaten the Republic of Ireland’s goal. His panic clearance led to a corner in the 49th minute. Then, after the cross Clark again hit the ball towards his own goal, but Randolph showed a great reflex, tipping the ball away to Forsberg, who shot wide. Ibrahimovic also tried his luck from a difficult position in the 60th minute, but his shot again couldn’t find the net. And guess who left Ibrahimovic to take the shot – Ciaran Clark…

The minute was 71st. Ibrahimovic passed back to Kallstrom. The midfielder found Forsberg. He passed to Guidetti in the box. Guidetti made a back heel pass to Ibrahimovic. The forward crossed the ball with power… And, it’s a goal! Ciaran Clark scored an own goal, becoming the man of the match for Sweden. The defender made the only two shots on target for Sweden during the game, and scored one of them.

If I were O’Neill, I would think if I am going to play Clark against Italy or Belgium… Or if he plays him, he must tell him to play in attack, or show him which he must attack… However, The Green Army showed a very good performance against Sweden and they have now gained confidence before the key battles against Italy and Belgium.