comfortable

Ange Postecoglou says his Nottingham Forest players got too “comfortable” after Championship side Swansea scored twice in stoppage time to knock them out of the Carabao Cup.

Two first-half goals from Igor Jesus had put the Premier League side firmly in control of their third-round tie.

However, a Cameron Burgess goal gave the Swans hope and, in a stunning finale, Zan Vipotnik levelled before Australia international Burgess scored his second to send the 2013 winners into the last 16.

“We had to finish them off and we had plenty of opportunities to do that, and a couple of decisions didn’t go our way,” said Forest boss Postecoglou.

“I think the lads got a bit comfortable in that moment and you’ve got to know the warning signs.

“Players just thought it would naturally finish that way and we’ve paid a heavy price for that. We need to improve.”

The former Spurs boss had promised this would be the night fans started to see his imprint on the side he inherited from Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground.

Instead, Forest conceded three for a second game in a row under Postecoglou, who added: “Tonight was a great opportunity for us to progress in a cup and give ourselves an opportunity to that success – and to let it slip is hugely disappointing.

“But it doesn’t change anything – we understand some of the things we have to work on.”

Ireland front row Linda Djougang says her refusal to be in any way complacent has been a key factor in achieving the consistency which has seen her become an almost ‘ever-present’ in the side and reach her 50th cap against Spain in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup game at Northampton.

The Cameroon-born prop has missed just one Ireland match since making her international debut against England in 2019.

“It feels amazing. I haven’t really thought about it until this week. When I started rugby I never dreamt of this. I never imagined I would reach this milestone,” said Djougang.

“Every game I just try to do my best. For me it means so much to show the other girls in the squad that they can get there too.

“For me to be that role model for them, there aren’t really words, but we have a job to do against Spain to make it even more special. We’ve been so focused on the game and getting everything right for Sunday.”

The 29-year-old says she never takes anything for granted as regards selection.

“You never want to feel comfortable. In each training session you want to put your hand up for selection. As we all know rugby is such an unpredictable game.

“I always train like I’m on the bench and I want to get on the starting team. This milestone shows me what I’m capable of and pushes me to want more.

“It’s nice to be reminded of the achievement and I’ll celebrate with the girls as my journey started with them and this landmark deserves to be celebrated with them.”

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand paid tribute to the impact made by Djougang, and her influence on the squad.

“Linda is an incredible person, an incredible player. She can play both sides of the scrum and has such a level of resilience and robustness.

“It’s an incredible feat of endurance, of getting better all the time. She’s right at the centre of where we’ve come from, what we are now and where we’re trying to go.

“Hopefully we give a performance to do this milestone proud.”

England’s men claimed a comfortable 5-0 win over Poland as they get their Pool B campaign under way at the EuroHockey Championships in Monchengladbach.

David Goodfield put England ahead in the first half but the 2023 finalists were made to wait to extend their lead by a resolute Polish side that came through the qualifiers in Dublin last summer.

Jacob Payton swept in the second in the third quarter and Phil Roper, Sam Ward’s deflected penalty corner shot and a Tom Sorsby effort in the last minute, rounding off the scoring.

“We really stuck at our gameplan. I was really proud of the boys to keep digging in knowing we were doing the right thing and we perservered and scored a few more goals,” said midfielder Sorsby.

“I think I had more shots in that game than in my entire international career so far and I want to convert a few more.”

England will now face hosts Germany in their next fixture on Sunday, 14:00 BST, before taking on France on 12 August, 11:30 BST.