Before the second round of the U-17 World Cup, Ireland's head coach, Colin O'Brien, commented on the team's preparations. The 50-year-old specialist noted that the big victory in the first round gave the Irish players confidence and emotional relief, but it doesn't mean anything yet.
"I am sincerely pleased with the result of my pupils in the opening game. Starting the competition with four goals creates a wonderful atmosphere of confidence for the team. This victory allowed my players to overcome their excitement and feel free on the field," Colin O'Brien said at a press conference.
However, the coach also noted that the team has not yet fully demonstrated its potential:
"We still have aspects that need improvement. We saw a lot of good things in the first game, but we lost focus in some situations. Now we have two days to recover and deeply analyze the opponent."
According to O'Brien, the match against Uzbekistan will be a serious test for them:
"The Uzbekistan national team defeated Paraguay in the first round - this is not without reason. They are a disciplined and tactically good team. This match will be our next challenge. We must take advantage of every minute on the field."
The coach also emphasizes not only attacking play but also balanced and intelligent tactics. He said that Ireland respects every opponent and will play with all its strength in the match against Uzbekistan.
As a reminder, the Ireland vs. Uzbekistan match, part of the second round of the group stage, will take place on November 8th at 8:45 PM. This match will be crucial for both teams on their way to the playoffs.
According to O'Brien, the team's atmosphere is good, the players are in high spirits, and they intend to continue their winning streak. "We want to step onto the field and show our game, to demonstrate how Irish football has grown," the coach concluded.
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