In this video
- Asked if this is the biggest game of his time in charge, the head coach said it is probably the one with most riding on it. How much is at stake will only be known after Armenia play Hungary.
- Asked about the performance in Lisbon, the head coach said they found a lot of good defensive clips to show the players. In possession there are things to fix, and he hopes the home support helps with that.
- Asked if the other group result could distract, the head coach said their approach will not change, win or draw. They cannot go all in against Portugal, and will take calculated risks if they need a late goal.
- Asked how important it is not to concede, given Ireland's lack of goals, the head coach said huge, absolutely. Against a team like Portugal it is the number one priority, he said.
- Asked if Cristiano Ronaldo is still a serious threat at 40, the head coach said his statistics answer that. His desire to score is one of the reasons Portugal are such a unique attacking team, he thinks.
“We cannot defend all their threats. It's impossible.”
- Asked about going all in, the head coach said the difference is the opponent: Portugal's biggest strength is transition. Ireland must not lose the ball in dangerous areas and always need a good rest defence.
- Asked about Portugal's biggest weakness, the head coach said Ireland recognise a few and will try to exploit them, but he will not say what they are. It is still a strong team, he said.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo still a Threat to Ireland at 40 years old? That’s the question Ireland must answer as they prepare to face Portugal in a crucial UEFA qualifier.
At the Aviva Stadium, Ireland’s manager Heimir Hallgrímsson
and Dara O’Shea discussed their game plan, confidence, and the mindset going into a very important match that could decide their World Cup fate.
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s age, the Irish team knows Portugal remains a unique striking threat, especially with CR7’s relentless hunger for goals.
Ireland emphasized the need to stay defensively compact and avoid giving space in transition. While the team respects Portugal’s firepower, they believe their strong performance in Lisbon where they nearly held their own provides a clear blueprint for success.
Dara O’Shea and Heimir Hallgrímsson spoke about using home support and stepping up in big games, drawing inspiration from previous results against Germany and Italy.
Can Ireland hold off Cristiano Ronaldo and create a historic moment against Portugal?
