ireland coach oneill praises fantastic players
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Ireland coach O'Neill praises 'fantastic' players

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Ireland coach O'Neill praises 'fantastic' players

Ireland striker Jon Walters
Dublin - Arab Today

Proud Martin O'Neill praised his side's fighting spirit after leading Ireland to the European Championship Finals.
The Ireland boss was beaming after the 2-0 play-off victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina gave his team a 3-1 aggregate win to book a spot in next summer's Euro 2016 Finals in France.

A goal in each half from Stoke City forward Jon Walters was the difference between the sides on the night, but O'Neill praised his side's efforts over the whole campaign, not least since they were almost written off in June when they could only draw 1-1 with Scotland in Dublin.

Since then Ireland beat Gibraltar, Georgia and World Champions Germany to earn third place in Group D, and finished the job off with Monday night's resounding victory at Lansdowne Road.

"I couldn't be more proud," said O'Neill. "They are a fantastic bunch of players who wanted to play for their country, which is very important.

"They have given everything and I don't think they had anything left to give.
"After the Scotland game here, which we probably should have won, it put us on the back foot with four games left but it was still in our hands.

"We sat in this very room and said it was still in our hands. It meant we had to go and win the two games in quick succession, Gibraltar and Georgia, and probably win one of the last two games.

"It was a tall order but it was never beyond them.

"Shane Long's goal against Germany gave us the opportunity to play Bosnia and we never gave up."

By qualifying in his first campaign in charge, O'Neill became only the fourth Ireland manager to reach a major tournament, but he refused to bask in the glory, instead putting all the focus on his players.
"It isn't (about me), the game is about players and I am absolutely delighted for myself naturally, rather selfishly, but I'm thrilled for the players because they have put their heart and soul into the games," he said.

"This is exactly what you're in football for. That moment when the referee blows the whistle and you're in France. It is just very special indeed.

"I think it is more special because it means so much to so many people -- to the players first and foremost and to the nation as a whole.

"The crowd that we will bring to France have graced other tournaments when we qualified and it is really special."

Bosnia boss Mehmed Bazdarevic was unhappy with the performance of referee Bjorn Kuipers, who awarded a first half penalty against the visitors, and claimed his men lacked luck at crucial times.

"The team that beat us played very well and had more chances," he said. "We played as well as we could, and we tried to match the Irish players in an aggressive game.

"We did our best. I'm very disappointed about the game. I feel sorry for the fans.

"I won't speak about (the referee) as it would have consequences, but I would like to say the referee did not do his job properly in this game.

"During the qualification it was very difficult for us," he added. "We had a few players injured and a few cards, but in the beginning maybe did not have enough luck, and in the end we did not have enough luck."
Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

ireland coach oneill praises fantastic players ireland coach oneill praises fantastic players

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

ireland coach oneill praises fantastic players ireland coach oneill praises fantastic players

 



GMT 13:44 2017 Wednesday ,19 April

US Pentagon chief meets Saudi king with Iran in focus

GMT 12:30 2017 Wednesday ,08 November

Five myths about gun deaths in the United States

GMT 09:23 2017 Wednesday ,19 April

1105 food baskets distributed in Yemen

GMT 17:32 2015 Tuesday ,29 September

Serfontein shocked to replace de Villiers at World Cup

GMT 11:44 2016 Wednesday ,24 February

Trump storms to victory in Nevada Republican caucuses

GMT 09:52 2017 Sunday ,31 December

PM meets martyred AIG Ashraf Noor’s family
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday