Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson expressed cautious optimism after his side's hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory against Bulgaria in the first leg of their Nations League play-off encounter in Plovdiv.

Match Highlights

• Bulgaria took an early lead in the 6th minute through Marin Petkov, catching the Irish defense off guard.
• The visitors responded brilliantly with goals from Finn Azaz (24') and Matt Doherty (38') to take a slender lead into halftime.
• Despite a scrappy second half on a challenging pitch at the Hristo Botev Stadium, Ireland held firm defensively to secure a crucial away win.

Manager's Reaction

Hallgrimsson praised his team's resilience but acknowledged room for improvement ahead of Sunday's second leg in Dublin:

"We can do a little bit better. It's only the first game of two. We are looking forward to playing them at home. The character shown after conceding early was excellent."
He highlighted Ireland's first-half dominance, particularly their attacking runs and crosses, while admitting the second half became a tactical battle.

Player Spotlight: Finn Azaz

The Middlesbrough midfielder netted his first international goal, describing it as "probably the easiest goal I’ve ever scored" after converting Troy Parrott's assist. Azaz emphasized the team's growing confidence:

"The pitch was tough, but we dominated the first half. It’s about building momentum now."

Key Takeaways

• Ireland's away form boost: Only their second away win under Hallgrimsson.
• Defensive solidity: Limited Bulgaria to few clear chances after the early setback.
• Crucial advantage: The narrow lead sets up an intriguing decider in Dublin.

Related fixtures: The return leg on Sunday will determine whether Ireland retains their Nations League B status.

Image: Republic of Ireland players celebrate their comeback win.