Wow, my country Ireland is so close to the World Cup now. What a week it has been for us. Troy Parrott just scored three whole goals against Hungary for a win. I still can’t believe it happened in the very last minute. Dreams really are coming true for the team right now.
Then I think about how we also beat Portugal before that. It just feels incredible to be in these play-offs. The whole nation is dreaming of going to America and Mexico and Canada. Parrott says he hopes we keeps this momentum going. I really agrees with him.
Some other players from my club Brentford was busy for their countries too. Jordan Henderson got to play for England in one of their games. Their team wins every match without letting any goals in, which is pretty amazing.
But I feel bad for Scotland’s Aaron Hickey, their team lost to Greece. They still can qualifies if they beats Denmark next. The stakes for that game is so high for everyone involved.
Mikkel Damsgaard scored a really good goal for Denmark, I saw it. He said it was bittersweet since they didn’t win the game. Norway, with Kristoffer Ajer, are already going to the World Cup which is great for them.
So many games are happening. Kevin Schade played for Germany, and Ukraine also made the play-offs like us. My teammate Rico Henry even played for Jamaica for the first time, which is a big deal.
It’s sad for Nigeria though, Frank and Benjamin’s team lost and won’t be going. I feel so sorry for them after they tried so hard.
Now we just waits for the play-off draw to happen. The hopes of everyone is resting on this. Players like Nathan Collins and Caoimhin Kelleher makes me believe we can really do it.
I hears that Yoane Wissa his team DR Congo is the one who beat Nigeria. It feel strange that a club teammate ended the dream for another. The football world is being so small and connected sometimes.
Just walking down my street, I sees all the Ireland flags in windows. It makes my heart feel full and excited for what is next. Everyone is talking about the games no matter where you goes.
Our manager, he has us all believing we can does anything. The way he talks to we players, it just makes sense. He says effort and passion is the most important thing.
I was reading about Australia and Japan already qualifying. It seems so far away, them places. To think we could be playing there next summer is a big thought.
No matter what happens in the draw, I is proud of this team. We has fought for every single ball. The future is feeling bright for Irish football, I thinks that for sure.
My own family was all together watching the Hungary match on the television. The noise we made when that third goal went in, it was just pure joy and relief. My mom she nearly spilled her tea everywhere from celebrating.
Thinking about the travel to America is a funny thought for me. I has never been that far from home before in my whole life. The time difference and everything would be so strange to gets used to.
There is this little kid who lives next door to me. He told his dad he wants a Troy Parrott jersey for his birthday now. Seeing a new generation get excited like that, it’s what the game is all about for me really.
Our training sessions has been so much more sharper this week. You can feels the focus from every single player in the squad. Nobody wants to be the one who lets the team down now we are this close.
I remembers watching past World Cups on a big screen in my town square. The crowds and the singing, it was always so electric. To thinks we could be the team people are watching this time, it’s a very big feeling for the both of us.
