Both the hosts and the Czechs were winners in the opening round of fixtures in Group A yesterday. Eastern Region IRL beat Ankara of Turkey 2-0 thanks to first half goals from Greg Moorhouse and Darren Dunne while South Moravia beat Tuzla Canton 1-0 in their opener.
Eastern Region IRL coach Gerry Smith was pleased with his side’s first day result and is looking to build on that display against the Czechs.
“It’s all about getting the three points in your first game. It wasn’t a classic performance but it was a steady one,” said Smith.
“We did really well in the first half and we knew they would be having a go at us in the second half. It was tentative and tight – there was a lot of tension in it being the first match.
“With a winner coming in the first game we had to get our three points so we’re delighted we’ve done that.
“The way things have fallen now this win means that whatever happens we’ll be still in the hunt going into the final group match on Wednesday.
“Sunday is the next challenge against the Czech side who won their first game. We’ve to recuperate and then look to pick a team for Sunday. We had their game watched and will look at the DVD too so we’ll be well prepared.”
Tomorrow sees a full round of fixtures in both groups. Croatia's Zagreb beat Dolnośląski of Poland 4-0 yesterday with Eastern Region NI drawing 2-2 with German side Württemberg.
FIXTURES & RESULTS
Friday, June 26
Group A
South Moravia (Czech Republic) 1-0 Tuzla (Bosnia & Herzegovina), UCD Bowl
Eastern Region (IRL) 2-0 Ankara (Turkey), Tallaght Stadium
Group B
Zagreb (Croatia) 4-0 Dolnośląski (Poland), Carlisle Grounds
Eastern Region (NIR) 2-2 Württemberg (Germany), Whitehall
Sunday, June 28
Group A
Eastern Region (IRL) v South Moravia, Tallaght Stadium (3.00pm)
Ankara v Tuzla, UCD Bowl (3.00pm)
Group B
Zagreb v Eastern Region (NIR), Richmond Park, Dublin (12.00pm)
Dolnośląski v Württemberg, Whitehall (12.00pm)
Wednesday, July 1
Group A
Tuzla v Eastern Region (IRL), Tallaght Stadium (7.00pm)
Ankara v South Moravia, Carlisle Grounds (7.00pm)
Group B
Württemberg v Zagreb, Whitehall (3.00pm)
Dolnośląski v Eastern Region (NIR), Tolka Park (3.00pm)