Republic of Ireland interim manager John O'Shea stated his team carries momentum into the World Cup play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic. The fixture takes place on Thursday at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. O'Shea noted that his squad gained confidence from results achieved during the previous international window in November, according to Sky Sports.
Ireland secured their place in the play-offs following a series of improved performances late last year. The manager described the upcoming match as a cup final due to the knockout nature of the competition. Per The Guardian, the winner of this tie will progress to a final against either Scotland or Poland for a place in the 2026 World Cup.
O'Shea confirmed he has a near-full strength squad available for selection. The coaching staff remains focused on maintaining the defensive solidity shown in recent outings. No new injury concerns were reported following the arrival of players at the training base, according to the Football Association of Ireland.
