Eire disillusioned to depart ´quite a lot of work to do´ regardless of win in Bulgaria

Matt Doherty was disillusioned the Republic of Eire had solely a 2-1 result in present from their Nations League play-off first leg in Bulgaria on Thursday.

Eire trailed to Marin Petkov’s sixth-minute opener, but that they had turned the sport on its head by half-time.

Finn Azaz’s first worldwide purpose introduced the guests stage, earlier than Doherty nodded in three minutes earlier than the break to place them in management.

The scoring stopped there, although, with neither facet aiming a single shot heading in the right direction within the second half.

Whereas that meant Eire got here away with a slim benefit, Doherty noticed this as a missed alternative earlier than dealing with Bulgaria once more in Dublin on Sunday.

“I feel we believed already we may come right here and win; perception wasn’t an issue,” he instructed RTE. “It’s [about] proving to your self you’ll be able to go away and win, and that’s what we did.

“However we all know it’s solely midway by way of; there’s nonetheless quite a lot of work to do. We’re somewhat bit disillusioned it completed 2-1; we have been desirous to push and put the sport actually to mattress.

“If you go away it at 2-1 like that, it provides them somewhat little bit of hope on the finish with lengthy balls and stuff like that. We’re somewhat bit disillusioned within the second half however completely satisfied to win, clearly.”

FT | Job finished in Plovdiv!

See you all on Sunday pic.twitter.com/R9JBrqhy5T

— Eire Soccer (@IrelandFootball) March 20, 2025

Heimir Hallgrimsson agreed there may be room for enchancment forward of the second leg at residence.

“We are able to do some bit higher,” the coach stated. “It’s solely the primary recreation of two, so we maintain our heads on the bottom and look ahead to going to Dublin to play them at residence.”

Figuring out Eire’s points, Hallgrimsson added: “We acquired too passive within the second half, particularly defensively after we pressed them effectively within the first half.

“It’s at all times once you’re main, it occurs mechanically, however it shouldn’t. We must be extra courageous after we’re defending and step larger.”