With early tests now passed, Ireland go in search of World Cup progression 

Ireland’s Jaden Umeh and head coach Colin O'Brien. Pic: Inpho

Two wins and a draw earned Colin O'Brien's Republic of Ireland under-17s top spot in Group J and a Round of 32 clash with Canada at the World Cup in Qatar.

So what will the knockout phase bring that the group stage didn't? O'Brien spoke post-Paraguay of how "cup football" awaits following their successful navigation of the group stage. That win-or-go-home pressure also awaits. 

Head coach O'Brien acknowledged the experience collected thus far - be that the occasion, the Doha heat, officials, or opposition tactics.  

For the Cork native, it has given his players plenty of knowledge in terms of how they best go about the Round of 32 and possibly beyond. 

"We've gathered so much info from the tournament, how it works, everything around it," O'Brien said. "The supporters, some of the officials. So the players have a lot of information now. 

"They're probably being educated now on how to deal with certain things. Early in the games, they might get frustrated with certain things. It's our job as a staff to say: 'Right, this is what you might have to do in a certain situation. This is what's happening with a player, or happening with an official.' 

"It's very important that it doesn't break their concentration. As we always talk about, there are no excuses. 

"We still have to go out and perform. There are going to be times in the game when we might have to defend. I think every facet of the game now we've been tested in."

O'Brien insists that in-game know-how and quality will be crucial going forward. He has seen improvement across all aspects of his side's play. 

Leaders like Vinnie Leonard, Michael Noonan, Rory Finneran and Jaden Umeh have stood up when needed. 

Ireland’s Michael Noonan with Leo Cristaldo of Paraguay. Pic: Inpho

"I have to give it to them (the squad), they stand up," O'Brien said. "Even when we mightn't be getting that rhythm in our game, at times we might not have that fluidity we want. We feel we've got better in different aspects of the games. We can play when we need to play. If we have to stand up and fight, we can. If we need to be a little bit direct, we can. 

"We've improved our counter-attack plan. We've got better with set plays. 

"That's the game. It's trying to give them that broad and balanced outlook because it could be one of those functions where you need to be really, really good on, whether it's in the transitions or in and out of possession. 

"You need to be good in all areas."

Much has been made of the senior football minutes played by several Ireland players, and notably by Dundalk's Leonard and Shamrock Rovers' Noonan throughout the group stages. The latter's street smarts were on full show in closing out the Uzbekistan victory.

"Michael - like a good number of players in the squad - would have always had that, but what he's done from his club, it's been really harnessed as well, it's been so invaluable," O'Brien added. "Once you play senior football and you're around really good staff who give you good information and educate you around that side of the game. 

"But again, it's the senior players within those clubs, they're the players that really school the younger players. They put their arm around them, they'll give a little kick if they need it at times. You can see that. 

"Same with Vinnie Leonard at centre-back, you can see that they've been around senior football."