Escudé-Candau confident ahead of final

Vincent Escudé-Candau is relatively unknown in League of Ireland circles but, in his first season in the League of Ireland with Cork City, he already has his eyes set on promotion to the Premier Division. Before he begins the league run-in, however, a small matter of an EA Sports Cup final needs deciding.

“I can’t wait, it’s a great chance for us. We have to be ready for it, and we will be”, Escudé-Candau said speaking to Extratime.ie. “The most important this for us is the league for the season because we have to be promoted. But to play in a final is a great chance and up until Saturday that’s all we’ll be thinking about.”

“It’s going to be really tough. But when you play a final you know there’s only going to be one winner and one loser and anything can happen.”

With the final taking place in Turners Cross, the 26-year-old striker paid tribute to the City fans that have followed them all season and expects a large crowd again for Saturday evening. “I’m really happy it’s there because we have great fans. They will be there to help up as they are every Friday in Turners Cross and especially for Saturday evening. (Beating Waterford United) was really good preparation. It was good to win that game because we had to win it. We played well so it’s good for confidence.”

Having settled in Cork, the striker explained how different the style of play in Ireland is compared to France, but it hasn’t done anything to stop him enjoying his football.

 “I’m really happy here. It was very difficult because it’s really different, and of course the weather”, he joked. “Even the style, we don’t play exactly the same but I really like the football. I’m happy here and I’m happy in Cork. There are a lot of great players in the squad. When we play, we play good football.”

Having just finished his photoshoot up close and personal with the EA Sports Cup trophy, Escudé-Candau finished with some philosophical words of wisdom ahead of the game, his confidence showing. “You don’t play a final, you win a final”, he said, “and we have a great chance.”