Zack Elbouzedi eyes history as under-21s get set to host Iceland at Tallaght Stadium

Former Waterford winger Zack Elbouzedi and his Ireland under-21 teammates are on the cusp of history.

They know that two wins in the next five days will see them become the first ever Ireland under-21 side to reach the European Championships.

With just one point separating them and tomorrow’s opponents Iceland and a trip to bottom side Luxembourg to come – the Icelandic clash falls into the 'must win' category.

Six points from the two remaining group games should be enough to seal their qualification in one of the top five runner up spots.

But things did not go to plan for the under-21s when they last faced Iceland. A first half penalty from Sveinn Gudjohnson and a red card for Lee O'Connor saw Ireland beaten in Reykjavik.

“It was a tough game,” Elbouzedi said on the game. “They were a very physical side that night to be fair to them.

“They played their game better than we did (ours).” He added: “They got a penalty that probably shouldn't have been given and we've had two or three chances then that we didn't take.

“Looking ahead to this game now though, I do believe if we play to our full potential tomorrow, we'll win the game.

“To be the first Ireland (under-21) team to qualify would be massive. It would be a real positive for the country in what has been a tough year.”

And while there may be pressure to qualify, Elbouzedi insists that both he and his teammates are looking at the coming days with excitement.



“It doesn't come around too often in a football career where you have the chance to make history and to be the first Ireland team to ever qualify for this tournament would be huge.

“If we win we are more than likely going to qualify so it's a very important but very exciting few days ahead for us. We have to win both games and that's it.”

He added: “We are a really close bunch, and we all have different group chats and that as well.

“Even away from the international camp and when we are back with our clubs we still all speak to each other quite a lot.”

The 22-year-old has had to wait for his chance in senior football since departing West Brom. Stints with both Inverness and Elgin City in Scotland proved challenging, before he made his mark with Waterford.

“Alan Reynolds was a big part of that, and he just gave me the freedom to play and express myself.



“When you are a young player you need to play as many games as you can to help you find your level, that's exactly what he gave me and I was delighted.

“I was playing week in week out with Waterford, got myself to a good performance level and that led to getting myself into this under-21 team and pulling on the green jersey again.”

His excellent season in the League of Ireland and his breakthrough into the current under-21 set-up did not go unnoticed, with Lincoln City snapping up his signature.

But despite a promising start, he has had to bide his time in recent months at the League One side.

“I want to play every game and for one reason or another I'm just not playing at the moment, so it has been frustrating.

“We are fourth in the league and the team is playing well so of course it's going to be that bit harder to get in.

“I need to keep a good attitude and keep my head down and hopefully when my chance comes again, I'll take it.”

He added: “It has been quite a disrupted start as well, I was over there for two and a half months to start.  

“Then with the first lockdown I was home for close to three months so it was not the ideal start  but I know myself having spoken to the coaches what I'm doing really well and what I could also be doing better.”

But despite the lack of game time at club level he doesn't feel it has impacted his ability to make an impact in the green jersey.

“It's quite hard to replicate match minutes but I do my extras myself to make sure I'm at my peak fitness. I think it showed in that last performance for Ireland, I think I played quite well.

“When I was at West Brom there were spells when I wasn't playing so I used to do a bit extra myself in the gym.”

He finished: “I think that also helps me now and has helped me since then. I know what I need to be doing when I'm not playing and the best ways to keep myself at the level needed.”