AFP, DUBLIN: Ireland maintained their Euro 2016 momentum with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday night.
Martin O’Neill’s side were ahead at half time thanks to Shane Long’s 16th international goal, and looked set for victory only for substitute Luuk de Jong to head home a late equaliser.
Ireland have lost just once since November 2014, and De Jong’s goal was just the fourth they’ve conceded at home in eight games.
It was not the victory O’Neill desired, but there were enough positive performances to give him a testing weekend, mulling over his final 23-man squad.
The Netherlands, who failed to qualify for the European Championships this summer, travelled without some big names, but could still field stars like Jasper Cillessen in goal, Virgil Van Dijk and Memphis Depay.