North End captain Alan Browne scored a superb strike for Republic of Ireland on Thursday evening but it wasn't enough to avoid defeat to Norway.
Browne started the game for the boys in green with PNE teammate Robbie Brady named amongst the substitutes for the friendly at the Aviva Stadium.
Norway took the lead just before the break when Leo Ostigard headed home Martin Odegaard's corner on 40 minutes.
Republic of Ireland responded after the break with PNE skipper Alan Browne finding the bottom corner with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box.
🎥 A superb finish from the skipper last night! 💥#pnefc
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) November 18, 2022
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Robbie Brady then joined the action on 75 minutes but it was the visitors who found the winning goal ten minutes later when Ohi Omoijuanfo stabbed home the winner for Norway.
Browne left the field on 89 minutes and was later named man of the match, but the Irishman was disappointed with the defeat.
Speaking to the media after the game, Browne said: In the first-half we were a bit flat, there was no real zip to our game. We played around the back and didn’t really break their press. But it’s tough against any team when they sit in compact and we had to get around the sides. They nullified us really well.
“I think second-half we came out and we were the stronger of the two teams so it is disappointing then to lose the game."
On his goal, the midfielder continued: The goal came out to me, I had a bit of time, I had a nice touch and thankfully it hit the back of the net here.
“We wanted to get the win and put on a performance but it wasn’t to be so we need to look at what we can improve on for the next game and hopefully it can be a much-improved second game.”
Browne and Brady could next be in action on Sunday when Ireland face a trip to Malta for a 7pm kick-off.