Ireland aims to erase memory of England defeat

Ireland's soccer team is preparing to play Bulgaria in the Nations League play-offs. This match is their first since a disappointing 5-0 loss to England last November. Nathan Collins, a defender, believes it is time to move on from that painful defeat. The Irish team aims to avoid being relegated to League C. They will play Bulgaria over two legs, starting with the first match on Thursday night in Plovdiv. Collins mentioned that winning and keeping a clean sheet would help them forget about the loss at Wembley. He acknowledges that Bulgaria has a strong defense, having kept six clean sheets in ten matches last year. Collins prefers a win over a scoreless draw, emphasizing the need to score goals. Team morale is high, with Collins expressing confidence despite their recent result. Reflecting on the defeat to England, Collins shared that it was a tough experience. He and his teammates want to regain their confidence with a strong performance against Bulgaria. He also noted that he reviewed the England game, focusing on learning from both halves of the match. Collins felt positive about his own performance in the first half and is ready to bounce back.