While qualification to the round of 32 was already secured, Republic of Ireland manager Colin O'Brien believes the maturity of the display in their 0-0 draw with Paraguay is an indication of the development of his team as they look to continue their World Cup journey against Canada later today in Doha (3.30pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
The point secured top spot in Group J, but the final half hour was dominated by O’Brien’s men as they hemmed the opposition in and created a number of chances of their own.
What pleased O’Brien as much as anything else however was the collective temperament.
No Irish player was cautioned in the opening win over Panama, but that figure rose to three against an Uzbekistan side that brought a more physical approach in their 2-1 defeat to the Boys in Green.
Having addressed the issue post-match, and having watched Paraguay in action, the players were primed for what the South American’s brought to the table; the sternest test yet physically and a theatrical approach to Irish challenges.
Despite strong Paraguayan protestations, only Finn Sherlock got on the wrong side of the referee – a most innocuous contact that saw the Hoffenheim player replaced at the interval - and O'Brien insisted it was testament to the prep work done in advance.
"They're growing up now because a lot of these games, it's adult stuff, as you've probably seen. It really, really is," he told RTÉ Sport.
"We've had some feisty, feisty games here. If you can't stand up to that, you'll be swallowed up. They'll (Paraguay) go down, they'll try and get you booked. They'll try and buy free-kicks.
"They'll try and frustrate you, provoke you. They just want to win by any means necessary.
"It's something we had to focus in on a lot."
Having faced Central American, Asian and South American opposition to date, next up on the globe-trotting adventure is a date with a Canada side that emerged from a group where all four teams ended up level on points.
O’Brien said that as soon as the draw was known, the coaching team got down to homework.
"They're very dangerous on the counter-attack," he said when asked what they will bring to the party. "A lot of their players, they've had that kind of American influence in the game there. It's a country where the game is well resourced at youth level.
"We just have to be at our best."
O’Brien has given game time to all his outfield players and competition for places is strong. The impact of Kian McMahon-Brown, Ramon Martos and in particular, Goodness Ogbonna after their introduction against Paraguay will have given the management team plenty of food for thought. Managing those expectations is part of the gig.
"Their mindset is they just want to start," he said. "They're all used to playing, starting with their clubs, being the best player for their clubs, being that profile player for their clubs, but when they come in here, you're not playing for your country, you may not start.
"That's something we have to we say, develop with them and mould them."
One player who certainly won’t feature is Max Kovalevskis. The Shamrock Rovers attacker, who rounded off the scoring in the opener against Panama, shipped a heavy blow against Uzbekistan that forced him out of the game early.
The concussion protocols mean his tournament is over, but he will remain in camp with the squad.
"It's been a tough one for him to take. He’s wonderful young man, full of humility and really popular in the squad.
"When things settle and as he goes on in his career, you can always say he played at a World Cup and scored at a World Cup."
Reaching the knockout stages on their maiden appearance at the tournament, no-one in the Ireland camp is ready to leave just yet.
Whatever way it pans out from here, the head coach says the diverse and dedicated team are feeding off the energy that has been coming their way from back home.
"This is an Ireland team a group of young men that are really flying the flag with distinction," he said.
"The messages we are getting are hugely appreciated and the players are very much aware of it."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Canada in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Round of 32 tie on Friday from 3.15pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport.
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