Even if the Player of the Match award at the Aviva Stadium wasn't restricted to those in green shirts, Chiedozie Ogbene would probably have gotten the nod for his relentless performance in Republic of Ireland's loss to France last March.
Playing wide right, Ogbene shared a wing with one Kylian Mbappe and had dual responsibilities - assisting Seamus Coleman in helping to stymie the French superstar, while also providing the Boys in Green with an attacking outlet in a region of the pitch where the coaching staff spotted opportunities.
With Mbappe given so much latitude to focus on attacking the opposition, this could leave Theo Hernandez ever so slightly vulnerable behind him. Ogbene was instructed to attack down that flank which he did with gusto.
"We watched clips of them, obviously their strong side is their left side - as well as their weakness.
"If we can overload the full-back, that gives us a chance. As one of the best players in the world is playing on the left side, the full-back has to do double running for him, so I saw that as an effective way, if we can overload them.
"Show them respect, but not too much respect. They are one of the best countries in the world, but we need to go out there and raise the intensity, no matter who you play against, if you raise the intensity it will be a difficult night for anybody."
It was another night which bolstered Ogbene's standing as a darling of the Lansdowne Road crowd. And with Evan Ferguson missing out this week through injury, the all-action attacker will have a chance to further endear himself to the fans.
"I am really privileged to be here, you see a packed Aviva and what it means to the country, that atmosphere creates that fire in every player to perform for yourself, for the country and for your family. It doesn't matter who we play, I should have that burning fire within me.
"I am fortunate I was able to perform that night but I would put pressure on myself to make sure I can perform like that again, however I come up against."
Ogbene's hands are clean as regards the sorry night in Athens, the Luton wide player missing out on the summer window through injury.
With qualification from such a fiendishly difficult group already a tall order, the Greek loss put Ireland's chances of reaching the Euros via the traditional route on life support.
Ahead of the daunting September window, Ogbene insists that a win and a draw - in whatever order - are probably required to put them properly back in the mix.
"Right now, if we can get a good result we're back in control of our destiny. Let’s be realistic here, we need three or four points to be competitive again.
"So, we’ve put that bit of pressure on ourselves. We need to get four points to have control of our destiny. Three points puts us back into, it but we’re not in control. We want to be in control.
"That’s the pressure the manager has out on us, and that’s the pressure we put on ourselves. We all want to achieve that. We want to qualify for Germany."
Since his blockbuster effort last time out against France, Ogbene has made a big move on the club front.
He's part of the suddenly burgeoning ranks of Irish players in the Premier League, with Josh Cullen and Andrew Obamabidele also now getting a proper run in the top flight.
Ogbene, at Rotherham for four seasons and at the now officially defunct Limerick FC six years ago, was snapped up by Luton Town as they embarked on their maiden journey in the Premier League. They were last in the top tier in the final season before its glitzy re-branding in 1992.
"I'll be honest with you, I did not have any ideas of Luton Town coming in for me," Ogbene says bluntly.
"I had some options in the Championship and one Premier League team watching me from a distance.
"After Luton Town got promoted they gave me a phone call and said they would like to have me on board as my attributes and skill is something they thrive on, my upbringing and the way I have developed my career is the personnel they want at the club.
"It was a quick decision from me because to get the opportunity to play in the Premier League, I was never going to say no. The manager sold me this idea of how we're going to play and it suited me down to the ground and a decision I would have said yes to many times."
Ogbene has appeared in all there league games thus far, though yet to get a starting nod. He's happy to wait his chance.
"I know the levels, it's a step up and I will bide my time, I have to be ready when I get my time to make sure I take the opportunity.
"It would be arrogant of me to say I should be playing as the players who got Luton Town promoted to the Premier League are very good players, I just have to respect that, learn off them and be ready for my chance."
Luton's away trip to Stamford Bridge for their second league game offered the perfect opportunity for Ogbene to reflect on his journey. Almost six years ago, the Corkman had the briefest of trials with Chelsea before returning to Limerick FC.
"I was speaking to my family and my brother said to me, " Remember when you went on two-week trial to Chelsea... who would have thought...?' We laughed about it.
"I have to give myself some credit. And how far I've come in six years. From Limerick FC to the Premier League. My manager [at Limerick] said that one in 200,000 people do that. Joe Gamble said it.
"I didn't think my international career would take off as quickly as it did. I was fortunate to have Keith Andrews working with me every day, players took me in. Who would have thought two years later I’d be in the Premier League? That’s what gives me confidence.
"Someone asked me is the Premier League the ceiling. It’s not because what I’ve achieved in two years I don’t think many people have. I’ve told myself: 'I’ve got here. Now I’ve got to improve again to be better.'
"I’m 26. I’m hoping I’ll be sitting here in two years’ time at 28 encouraging the young lads and saying, 'look at my journey, look where I’ve come.' I’m still ambitious but I don’t take this for granted. I still get butterflies every time I come here.
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