Andrew Omobamidele’s late goal handed Ireland a valuable point as Colin O’Brien’s side drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic on Monday in Waterford.
But more importantly, the 88th-minute effort has given this Ireland Under-17 outfit a real confidence boost heading into their final group game, against Belgium on Thursday evening.
With two draws from their opening games, Ireland most likely need a victory against the much-fancied Belgium outfit if they are to get through to the knock-out stages.
And goalscorer Omobamidele believes that the goal at the RSC has instilled real belief and lifted confidence levels throughout the squad ahead of the Tallaght Stadium encounter.
"The goal has kept the tournament alive," said Omobamidele, speaking to RTE Sport following Monday’s game. "If we lost that game, I don’t think we would have made it through.
"The goal has set us up and now there is so much positivity around and the atmosphere is great, and we are going into the third game with all guns blazing."
Omobamidele’s equaliser came straight from a corner kick, and while the Norwich defender was on hand to guide the ball home, credit was paid to Shamrock Rovers defender James Furlong who delivered the set piece into the box.
"James Furlong has a great left foot. We work on it in training. It is all about the delivery and all I had to do was tap it in," he added.
Looking ahead to the game, Omobamidele said that Ireland had no fear of this Belgium side, having played them in a friendly game in Spain earlier in the year.
Andrew Omobamidele scores Ireland's equaliser against the Czech Republic in the U17 European Championships. pic.twitter.com/1PGXWdXco6
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 6, 2019
Ireland lost that narrow encounter 2-1 – Omobamidele again on the scoresheet – but based on the performance and judging Belgium on their opening game with the Czech Republic, the Irish centre-half sees no reason why they cannot get the required result.
"We have played them before and we lost 2-1 but we will do more work on them ahead of the game," said Omobamidele.
"They were also trailing to the Czech Republic and scored in the last minute. And we drew with the Czech Republic so we are going to be looking at it like that.
"Obviously they are a big team but with our attackers, I think we will have too much for them with the pace and the way we are playing."
Ireland must plan without two of their attacking trio as both Conor Carty and Festy Ebosele are suspended for the game, however, Omobamidele believes that Ireland have the strength in the squad to replace the two key forwards.
"It’s disappointing with Festy and Conor Carty being out but we have good team depth and there are boys here chomping at the bit to get a game.
"So it’s all positivity and the atmosphere is good so we’re going to go out all guns blazing.
"We have that fighting spirit and we showed that when we got the equaliser."
Following Monday’s trip to the RSC in Waterford, the Under-17s will play their final match back at Tallaght Stadium, with a big crowd expected to turn out for the final group game.
And Omobamidele feels that the home crowd may prove decisive to get the best out of the team and inspire them to victory.
"It makes you run that extra yard if you hear the crowd screaming and makes you chase a ball that might be a lot cause.
"So I think it will be a big advantage and hopefully there will be a lot of numbers coming out to get behind us."
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