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Substitute captain Shane Duffy was disappointed with the Republic of Ireland’s failure to win in Bulgaria, but pleased by the team’s struggle and new coach Stephen Kenny’s commitment to the game plan.
Ireland needed a 93rd-minute header from the Derry man to ensure Kenny’s reign began with a 1-1 draw rather than a defeat in the UEFA Nations League B4 clash in Sofia.
“It was good to get the goal at the end, but overall a little disappointed with the game and the result,” Duffy told Sky Sports. “Bittersweet moment.
“I imagine myself in every game if the delivery is correct and I had a few chances tonight. I knew when Brades (Robbie Brady) came in, I was going to get a chance with him.
“He has a left foot wand and we grew up playing together. He knows where I like it and he put it on my head.
“I think we were the best team. The chances they got were from our sloppy play, they didn’t really knock us down otherwise. We had a lot of possession (63%) and few chances.
“We want to win every game and try to keep going with this team, but it was important that we didn’t lose the game.”
“That is positive and the attitude of the boys, who continued until the end. When we tied, we kept trying to get a winner.”
Duffy was one of the two guilty players in Bulgaria’s opener when Bozhidar Kraev was left unmarked in the 56th minute.
“I probably took the blame myself,” he said. “It was a sloppy defense. I didn’t go in fast enough and they punished us.
“I have not played much football, so at times it was difficult to start.
“Disappointing, but I hope I can put it behind me and the more games I get under my belt, the more fit and ready I can be.
“It was like a preseason game for most of us, we haven’t had many games. I haven’t played in a long time.”
Duffy said new boss Kenny had instilled in the team the importance of holding the ball and was happy they hadn’t resorted to route one, even when they were behind.
“It’s the first days with the new coach, a couple of days of training and he is trying to get his ideas out. It will take a little time, but we will keep trying,” Duffy said.
“We had a lot of possession. We worked on that in the few days, trying to get higher on the field and having our three forwards put pressure on their rear four.
“John (Egan) and I had a lot of the ball from the beginning, but they had a block in the middle (field) where it was difficult to break through and they were waiting for our mistakes.
“Much more based on possession and even when we lost 1-0 we didn’t fold to just pack it together, we stayed in style, and that was positive.”
It was the first game Duffy had played since his father Brian died suddenly in May at age 53.
“It’s the first game he hasn’t been here,” he said. “It was exciting, of course, but I’m a professional, I want to play soccer and focus on the game.
“I know he’s there for me, and he was probably looking down on me at the last minute.”
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