Stephen Kenny admitted to being disappointed with the two goals Ireland conceded against Belgium, but overall the manager was very pleased with his side's performance in their 2-2 draw with the world number one-ranked side.
Ireland had to battle back from behind twice in the game as Belgium took an early lead thanks to an excellent Michy Batshuayi strike in the 12th minute, which was cancelled out by Chiedozie Ogbene’s acrobatic effort nine minutes before the break.
And Ireland had to drag themselves back into the contest once again in the second half following Hans Vanaken’s header from a 59th-minute set-piece.
Kenny’s side were not disillusioned by the visitors' second goal and immediately went about restoring parity, and while they left it late, it was well worth the wait as substitute Alan Browne met Ogbene’s cross perfectly to power a header home.
"I’m disappointed by both goals we conceded," said Kenny, speaking at the post match press conference.
"[But] I thought the determination and quality we showed to come back score the two goals was hugely encouraging.
"It was a high technical standard game. It was end to end really overall. I was really pleased overall with the performance of the players."
Ireland started the game with real purpose, electrified by the energy of the front three of Ogbene, Callum Robinson and Jason Knight, and in truth, the Belgian goal was a real sucker punch, which appeared to knock the home side right off their approach.
It took Ireland a good 20 minutes to play their way back into the game, which resulted in a period of pressure that eventually led to the equalising goal from Ogbene.
And the manager credited the aggressive play from central defender John Egan who was instrumental in working the play into the opposition half to turn the game around.
"I thought John Egan changed a lot in that period," said Kenny. "His press from left centre-back was so aggressive. He made critical challenges and forced them onto the back foot.
"I felt he was very influential when we needed someone to be, both in terms of spectacular challenges, jumping from the halfway line to 25 yards from their goal in tackles, and also to carry the ball out and be able to use it as well."
And Kenny credited the whole team for having the confidence and the togetherness to carry out the tactics, which needed every player to contribute against such quality opponents.
The manager felt that his side should have taken the lead early in the second half, and again credited his defenders, this time Seamus Coleman, for pushing the team on.
"It wasn't just John," added Kenny. "For the chance we should have scored at the start of the second half, Seamus actually broke 25 yards from their goal, intercepted and put a really nice pass in. We just couldn’t get a finish on it.
"So from that aspect of things we were quite aggressive in being able to get in front of our man and we committed players to a high press. Our pressing was relentless and they struggled to get out in that period. We were willing to leave ourselves one against one at the back.
"That requires a huge amount of energy and you can't carry one player even slightly against a team of that quality in that situation."
And regarding energetic and committed displays, the manager had special praise for Ogbene’s player-of-the-match performance, scoring one, making the other, and generally causing carnage throughout the remarkable individual display.
"I knew he would be a real threat for us and that he had great attributes, but it’s a spectacular start," said Kenny about the impact that the former Cork City man has made in this Ireland squad.
"To score three goals in two qualifiers and then a big game against the world number one team. Apart from his goals, he gives us so much at the moment.
"We ask some of the players to elevate their performances above their club form because that’s what we need to do.
"If we’re going to be competing with Belgium or Portugal or Serbia or any of those teams, we need our players to elevate their performances above what they can do even for their clubs playing for Ireland.
"That’s what we need them to do, and Chiedozie certainly is doing that."
