FRIENDLY FIRE NOT AN ISSUE
O’Neill upbeat despite defeat as ‘total focus’ is on Austrians
MARTIN O’NEILL is adamant his Republic of Ireland players will feel the benefits of a 6,000-mile round trip to the States when they cross the white line on World Cup duty tomorrow week.
Rather than pick holes in a second successive defeat — both friendlies — O’Neill was in upbeat mood as he left the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in the small hours yesterday after the 3-1 loss to Mexico.
With a new formation, an inexperienced team and plenty of ring rust, Ireland were well-beaten by the world’s 16th-ranked team — the margin of defeat could have been even more emphatic.
Yet O’Neill, wasn’t perturbed. ‘Most of the things that happened, I kind of expected,’ he said.
‘Look, no one wants to get beat but I’m not deflated. This is not an act. I always told you how I felt about the friendly games.
‘In terms of the physical aspect, that game will bring us on,’ he stressed.
‘In terms of confidence, and knock to confidence, I’m really not too bothered. And the same might occur against Uruguay (tomorrow). I’m getting total focus for the game next week — the be-all and end-all is
the Austria game. O’Neill defended his decision to play 3-5-2 even though his players seemed unsure of what to do as the Mexicans made hay. ‘We have to try it (the system) because we might have to do it at some point in our World Cup campaign. We might have to change systems,’ said O’Neill. ‘You are disappointed to concede goals at any given stage. All over the pitch at certain stages in the game Mexico dealt with the ball very, very well and I thought were much fitter than us. ‘The players in our team should aspire to have that ability that the Mexicans have,’ he said. O’Neill was pleased that key players got a strong blowout. ‘Shane Duffy hadn’t played for 12 weeks and he got a game; [Daryl] Murphy, [David] McGoldrick too. That’s something which helps us,’ he said. O’Neill last night finalised his squad for the games against Uruguay and Austria by adding 10 players to the 19 on duty in the ‘States. With Kieren Westwood, John O’Shea, Stephen Ward, Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Glenn Whelan, Harry Arter, Aiden McGeady, Jonny Hayes and Jon Walters in the ranks, O’Neill’s hand is a stronger one now. Seven of the additions had a light work out yesterday in Dublin along with midfielder Stephen Quinn who has linked up with the squad for training only. Arter and Whelan will only arrive today and are not expected to figure tomorrow. O’Neill revealed that Stephen Gleeson, the Irish goalscorer against Mexico, has headed to Portugal to get married. The manager believes Uruguay will provide the stern test he wants for his players ahead of the Austria visit. ‘Uruguay will be a big test,’ added O’Neill. ‘I’d prefer the players to be up against someone difficult rather than playing an easy friendly.’