Waterford FC Jamu Drogheda United di Stadion RSC

Waterford FC dijadwalkan menjamu Drogheda United FC di Stadion RSC dalam lanjutan pekan kompetisi domestik Premier Division SSE Airtricity Men pada Senin, 18 Mei 2026 malam waktu setempat. Klub berjuluk The Blues tersebut mengincar kemenangan perdana mereka demi memperbaiki posisi di dasar klasemen sementara.

Dilansir dari harianbasis.co dan mediakompeten.co.id, laga ini digelar hanya berselang beberapa hari setelah Waterford FC ditahan imbang 2-2 oleh Derry City FC pada hari Jumat di RSC. Gol telat Henry Rylah pada menit ke-94 membatalkan kemenangan tuan rumah yang sebelumnya unggul lewat penalti Tommy Lonergan dan sundulan Kevin Long.

Kondisi kesiapan kedua kesebelasan kini menjadi fokus utama, terutama dalam menguji ketangguhan taktik pertahanan dan lini tengah masing-masing tim. Manajer Waterford FC, Graham Coughlan, harus mematangkan skuadnya karena beberapa pemain pilar mengalami cedera, meskipun Sam Glenfield dipastikan bisa kembali bermain setelah menjalani skorsing, sementara Jordan Houston dan Evan McLaughlin masih diragukan tampil.

Intensitas persiapan menjelang laga dinilai sangat tinggi oleh pengamat sepak bola lokal yang memantau latihan kedua tim di lapangan.

"Kedua tim menunjukkan intensitas latihan yang tinggi menjelang pertemuan ini," ujar seorang pengamat sepak bola lokal.

Evaluasi mendalam telah dilakukan oleh tim pelatih tuan rumah demi mengamankan poin penuh di hadapan pendukung sendiri dan mengantisipasi strategi serangan balik dari tim tamu. Tensi pertandingan diprediksi berjalan tinggi karena kedua kubu sama-sama membidik hasil maksimal.

"Kami telah mengevaluasi kekuatan dan kelemahan Drogheda United dan kami siap menghadapi tantangan yang mereka hadirkan," kata perwakilan dari staf pelatih Waterford FC.

Di sisi lain, manajemen Drogheda United menekankan pentingnya kedisiplinan pemain untuk mencuri angka dalam laga tandang ini demi memperbaiki posisi mereka di peringkat kedelapan klasemen dengan raihan 19 poin dari 16 pertandingan setelah sebelumnya kalah 2-1 dari Bohemians.

"Fokus kami adalah menjaga lini belakang tetap solid sambil mencari celah serangan yang efektif di babak kedua," kata perwakilan Drogheda United.

Head Coach Waterford FC, Graham Coughlan, memberikan pandangan mendalam mengenai performa skuadnya setelah laga sebelumnya dan menegaskan bahwa penampilan tersebut menjadi cetak biru bagi tim ke depan.

"First and foremost, we asked for a performance tonight, and I think we got exactly that. It was a really strong performance. We asked for intensity, for high energy, and we got that in abundance. That gives us a clear blueprint for where we want to go. I thought our overall performance level was very good. But sometimes in football, luck either shines on you or turns its back on you, and tonight it felt like it went against us. When we needed a break or a bit of fortune, it just didn’t come. They had very few chances and came away with two goals, so fair play to them. It shows you don’t need many chances if you’re clinical. But from our side, we created enough opportunities to win the game, and that’s the frustrating part. I’m really, really proud of the players. I was frustrated last week because I know they’re better than that, and tonight they showed exactly what they’re capable of. That’s the level we need to reach consistently. These lads have worked their socks off all week, and that came out tonight. It’s a really good group. I saw some of the talk before I came in about them not caring, but if anyone still believes that, they need to look at that performance. Look at the pride they showed, the way they put their bodies on the line, the way they worked for each other—that was outstanding, regardless of the result. I can’t comment on what’s gone on before. I don’t live in the past, and I don't want the players living in it either. What’s gone is gone. My focus is on moving forward. Tonight is the blueprint. That’s the level we want week in, week out, and now the challenge is to replicate it. Late goals and setbacks are part of football. It’s frustrating when they go against you, but there will be times when they go in your favour as well." ujar Graham Coughlan, Head Coach Waterford FC seperti dilansir dari waterford-news.ie.

Mantan pemain bertahan tersebut merasa puas dengan karakter yang diperlihatkan anak asuhnya meski gagal meraih poin penuh akibat gol di menit-menit akhir dan menekankan pentingnya konsistensi.

"What I was really pleased with was the response. The lads showed real character. They kept battling, kept working, and never gave up. I felt we deserved to at least be level, if not ahead. The momentum was with us for large parts of the game, and I was surprised we didn’t create even more. We asked the players to press, to get tight, to put pressure on the ball, and they did that to the letter. That’s all you can ask for as a coach. I understand some of them are carrying scars from earlier in the season. That’s part and parcel of football when results haven’t gone your way. But performances like tonight can help rebuild that confidence. Consistency is the key now. If we can get to this level week in, week out, then the results will follow. Continuity brings confidence. The challenge is simple—go and do it again. There’s no point in feeling sorry for ourselves. That was a positive performance, and we need to build on it. If we can follow this up with a win in the next game, then tonight becomes a very valuable point. That’s how quickly things can change. I’m excited to be here and excited to be working with this group. They’re putting in the effort on the training ground, and that’s starting to show in matches. Give us a bit more time, and I believe they’ll fully buy into what we’re asking. If they do that, it will bring results." kata Graham Coughlan, Head Coach Waterford FC.

Coughlan juga menyoroti performa individu pemain seperti Benny Couto yang dinilainya menunjukkan kualitas di lapangan di tengah situasi sulit yang dihadapi tim.

"From what I’ve seen, especially tonight, there’s definitely enough in this group to turn things around. The players care, they’re working hard, and they’re fighting for each other. My job is to guide them. If things go wrong tactically, that’s on me. But if they keep giving me performances like that, we'll win more games than we lose. Benny Couto is a good player. He’s had a tough time, but that happens in football. Sometimes you need a bit of belief and support. I thought he showed real quality tonight. He got into good positions and was unlucky not to get more from the game. He just" kata Graham Coughlan, Head Coach Waterford FC.

Lebih lanjut, ia memprediksi laga melawan Drogheda United akan menjadi pertempuran yang berbeda dibandingkan laga hari Jumat, serta mengapresiasi dukungan suporter di stadion.

“Tomorrow will be a different type of game compared to Friday night. We’re expecting a battle. Friday’s point would turn out to be a great point if we can go and put three points on the board on Monday. Our aim was to come away with four points this weekend, and it’s what we’ll be looking to do." ujar Graham Coughlan, Manajer Waterford FC dilansir dari waterfordfc.ie.

Coughlan menambahkan bahwa daya juang anak asuhnya sangat luar biasa di tengah rentetan kekecewaan sepanjang musim kompetisi ini bergulir.

“The character & the resilience the players have shown since we came in has been brilliant. They’ve taken knocks, they’ve taken blows, all season they’ve had disappointments, but on Friday I was really proud of the performance they put on." kata Graham Coughlan, Manajer Waterford FC.

Coughlan menyatakan timnya membutuhkan faktor keberuntungan yang tidak mereka dapatkan saat kebobolan pada detik-detik terakhir pertandingan sebelumnya.

“And I was proud of the supporters, how they cheered & clapped us off the pitch. Because we’re going to need everybody. The one thing we’re going to need that nobody can control is slices of luck along the way, and we just didn’t get that on Friday night.” ujar Graham Coughlan, Manajer Waterford FC.