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Republic of Ireland Prepares for Challenge Against Slovenia in Nations Cup
As the Nations Cup draws nearer, Republic of Ireland’s manager, Carla Ward, acknowledges the upcoming challenge against Slovenia, a team she recognizes for its “abundance of quality.” The match is set to take place in Koper on Tuesday.
Slovenia has already showcased their capabilities by registering a 2-1 victory over Greece in their League B Group 2 opener. In contrast, the Republic of Ireland secured a narrow 1-0 win against Turkey in their last outing in Dublin.
“Slovenia is a formidable squad,” Ward remarked in an interview with RTE Sport. “Their success across various age groups speaks volumes, as they consistently improve their rankings. The national team mirrors this upward trajectory.” She emphasized Slovenia’s strengths, highlighting that they boast players with Champions League experience.
Ward expressed her belief that the upcoming game would be more engaging than the previous encounter with Turkey. “This match will be different,” she stated. “Both teams are keen to play football, which will naturally create spaces and opportunities, leading to a more dynamic encounter. However, we must respect their quality, as it will undoubtedly pose challenges for us.”
The Republic of Ireland’s recent victory was spearheaded by Kyra Carusa, who scored the sole goal, marking the beginning of Ward’s tenure as manager with a positive result. Despite the win, Ward reflected critically on her team’s performance, admitting that it “wasn’t pretty” and that there remains significant room for improvement.
Ward remains steadfast in her approach, stating, “My system will not change; I have a clear philosophy that the players can clearly see.” In the days leading up to the Slovenia match, she and her coaching staff have concentrated on enhancing the team’s offensive strategy, as they fell short in creating scoring opportunities against Turkey.
“We analyzed our performance and noted that we had only five shots in the first half and none in the second,” she explained. “This is an area we’ve prioritized, focusing on ways to bolster our creativity both on and off the pitch.”
As the Republic of Ireland gears up for this crucial match, both Ward and her players are determined to rise to the occasion and take advantage of the insights they’ve gained in training.
Source
www.bbc.com