Doolin's Ireland ready for Spain challenge

Although Republic of Ireland coach Paul Doolin describes his team's UEFA European Under-19 Championship semi-final opponents Spain as a "fantastic footballing nation" the 48-year-old insists his players are "ready for the big challenge".

Ireland secured their place at this stage of the tournament as Group A's second-placed team behind the Czech Republic and, having taken four points from games against Greece and hosts Romania, losing only to the Czech Republic, are confident they can achieve something big in Chiajna on Friday.

"Spain are world champions, European champions, Under-21 champions and now they have a team in the semi-finals of the U19 finals; there's not much more that needs to be said about them than that," Doolin said. "Whether you're a player or a coach we all like to be challenged and there is no better nation than Spain to offer you that."

"There may have been a motivational factor among our squad prior to the Romania game knowing there was a chance to play the Spanish in the semi-finals but now we're there we'll be ready for it."

Having featured in all of his team's group games, defender Matthew Doherty is suspended yet despite that absence, Doolin feels the rest of his squad know enough about their opponents to see them through. "We were a bit bored hanging around the hotel at one point so we went to see Spain's first game against Belgium [which the former won 4-1]," the coach explained. "Our players had a good look at them. They scored four in that game and did the same against Serbia so they know it'll be a tough match but that's just what you want. Give credit to our team; they are a group that never gives up."

Spain coach Ginés Meléndez, meanwhile, believes his players are determined to push last year's runners-up towards a sixth U19 final and a fifth titles but warns that their opponents at the Concordia Stadium will be just as keen to advance. "We sent someone to watch Ireland [when they played Romania] and know that we will be facing a side that applies a lot of pressure and that can change their style of play," said Meléndez, part of Spain's victorious coaching staff in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Currently the competition's top scorers with eight goals, La Rojita will be relieved to have forward Paco Alcácer available after the Valencia CF striker recovered from the toe injury he suffered in the 3-0 reverse against Turkey. Admitting that his players may have lacked motivation in that final group game having already won the section prior to the contest, Meléndez assured that will not be the case against Ireland. "We have high hopes and are full of desire to get to the final; I'm expecting a hard and even game," he said.