Chiedozie Ogbene on vital Czech peno: 'It was a minimal tug, but that's enough nowadays'

Weekend clocks springing forward chimed with the tenor of Chiedozie Ogbene’s pleadings for the Irish public to keep faith with its national team.

The passing of time since Thursday’s collapse in Czechia hasn’t diminished the rawness of a World Cup opportunity spurned.

Regret at crucial lapses will be compounded when Ireland hosts North Macedonia on Tuesday in a friendly rather than Denmark for a berth at this summer’s showpiece in North America.

Cork man Ogbene will be around for the next shot at ending 28 years without World Cup involvement.

The centenary tournament of 2030 spread across three continents was difficult to visualise amid the pain of Prague but in keeping with the 28-year-old’s upbeat demeanour the next major Euros tournament which Ireland co-host consumes his thoughts.

“I would be excited as an Irish fan for what's to come,” said the Ipswich Town winger, currently on loan at Sheffield United. “There's a pain in our hearts obviously because we were in control of the playoff.

“We were in control of our destiny and it just fell away from us. Overall, it's a learning and development period for us. I think we've come a long way from the start of the World Cup campaign.

“The team is continuing to grow and I'm excited to see what happens in the future. It's a young squad with a lot of players coming through.”

Heimir Hallgrímsson attempted to park the anguish by staging a closure meeting on Saturday morning but the flashbacks won’t subside. 

Two goals up away in a competitive playoff was unprecedented territory and the second lead, through the penalty shootout, was another reason for the wounds to sting.

“From being on the pitch, it was always a hostile environment and we could always feel the pressure,” Ogbene said about his 100 minutes in the Fortuna Arena fray.

“But I thought we defended really well and they didn’t cause us any problems. We gave away a penalty for what was a minimal tug. But, at this level, it's enough nowadays. Conceding that goal before half-time gave Czechia a little belief.

"Then Jayson Molumby had the shot off the post. If it went in, the game would have been done. It didn't go in and then they got a late chance to equalise.

“I think penalties are always potluck because it’s always a lottery; never a true reflection of the game.

“We're kicking ourselves because we did enough to win this game but it just didn't fall our way.” 

Ogbene belied his recent activity to not only endure the full 90 minutes but devour Czechia with his blistering runs as the Ireland outball.

Sheffield United’s abundance of loan players hasn’t been kind to the former Cork City and Limerick player because Championship rules limit their number.

That regulation has restricted his first-team exposure to 39 minutes, scattered across three games, since he returned from the hamstring tear he sustained in Ireland’s previous game against Hungary.

“This was the best and freshest I've ever felt coming into an international camp,” said the attacker who has been a regular since his debut in May 2020.

“I've played a lot of reserve games to give my body the best chance. I tried to exert myself as much as I could to give everything for the team.

“Usually, I've played lots of club games and I come in slightly on the fatigued side. I live a very disciplined life. I try to control everything that I can and leave the football and results to the gods.

“Hence why you could see the runs I was making in behind. I felt good even after the game.

“It's just that feeling of disappointment makes me more tired than I was because it was a great opportunity that we missed.” 

Ogbene’s captain Séamus Coleman has spoken from experience by predicting players will recover from this desolation.

Nobody except the skipper knows whether he’ll continue in the camp beyond tomorrow’s formality. Ogbene cites the 37-year-old he shares the right side of the pitch with as the icon he models his lifestyle on.

“Séamus sacrifices more than everyone else here and that’s why he is still playing in the Premier League and these big internationals,” said the man from Grange.

“He is a really good motivator for me, always pushes me and has given me the toughest love – which is always for the greater good of the team.

“I always lean on him for stuff. Regardless of how old he is, I would love to still have him in this Ireland set-up.

“He is still very influential to everybody by always giving an emotional speech which cuts me through the heart. I give everything and fight for him.” If the legs deny him continuity, Coleman could still contribute to the Irish unit.

“He is shy and reserved but definitely, as a coach to be around the boys, he’d be a really good motivator,” Ogbene continues.

“You look at him as similar to John O’Shea as a true example. Players will look at him and say, ‘He knows what he’s talking about.’ “I would like him to be a coach, but that’s up to him. Every club and every team would definitely benefit from having him around.”