Richardson has Swede dreams
Cork boss Damien Richardson is warning Djurgarden not to expect a walk in the park against his Eircom League Premier Division leaders in Stockholm tomorrow night.
The Swedes are also well into their domestic season, currently sitting second in the top flight, just a point behind leaders Gothenburg.
Although Djurgarden are fancied to progress through to the first round proper of the UEFA Cup, Richardson maintains his table-toppers are out to cause another upset after already defeating Lithuanian outfit Ekranas en route to the second qualifying round.
“It was a wonderful tie from the point of view that it was a difficult and experienced an opponent as we could have been drawn against, but having said that, we are making good progression and this will be a good way of testing ourselves,” reflected Richardson.
“They are going well, and it will be a difficult task – but I think an exciting challenge.”
Richardson said: “I want us to impose our own personality on the game at every opportunity. I think the days when League of Ireland clubs came abroad and just worked hard to try and keep the score respectable are gone – I want my team to come out full of confidence and look to play their own game.
“Win, lose or draw, you have to do it on your own terms – I think if we realise our own potential, then they will have an equally difficult tie as we face.”
Cork have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the first-leg tie at the Rasunda Stadium, but will be without suspended midfielder George O’Callaghan after he picked up two yellow cards during the last round.
While Richardson will ensure his team give their all to secure an unlikely progression into the draw for the UEFA Cup first round, he admits: “While the European ties are exciting, it is our domestic competition which must be the most important.”
