Cricket World Cup: Ireland have 'almost forgotten' win over Windies

Kevin O'Brien and John Mooney will be back in action for Ireland against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday in Brisbane

Ireland all-rounder Kevin O'Brien says the team have "almost forgotten" their opening World Cup win over the West Indies as they focus on their next game against the United Arab Emirates.

After their win over the Windies, victory in Brisbane against the UAE on Wednesday would put Phil Simmons's side on the brink of a quarter-final spot.

"Monday is gone - as great a result as it was," O'Brien, 30, said.

"It will mean nothing if we don't win on Wednesday."

The Dubliner and his Ireland team-mates know plenty about the UAE, having played them on numerous occasions in recent years.

And the Ireland all-rounder was also impressed with the UAE's display in their narrow defeat by Zimbabwe in Nelson on Thursday.

The Associate nation looked on course for an upset victory for much of the game before eventually succumbing to a four-wicket defeat.

"They really pushed Zimbabwe and it was only very good batting performances from Sean Williams and Craig Ervine that got Zimbabwe over the line," O'Brien added.

"The UAE have some very good players. Khurram Khan and Swapnil Patil are two very good middle-order batsmen and their bowlers have improved a lot. They have some useful spinners as well.

"They ran us close in the World T20 qualifiers a couple of years ago when they needed two or three off the last ball but TJ (Trent Johnston) bowled a very good ball and denied them."

After Monday's win in the New Zealand city of Nelson, the Irish travelled to the Gold Coast in Australia for a couple of days of relaxation before heading on to Brisbane, where Wednesday's game will take place.

Ireland's training plans since arriving in Brisbane have been affected by the double-cyclone which has brought hours of heavy rain to the city.

World Cup organisers are still hoping Australia's Pool A match against Bangladesh in Brisbane will go ahead on Saturday, while the forecast is better for the middle of next week when Ireland will be in action at the Gabba.

"It's been a bit frantic over the last 24 hours trying to reschedule training but we had a good session at the National Centre in Brisbane and the Allan Border Field," O'Brien said.

Normally, the Gabba wicket would be expected to have more bounce than was the case in Nelson but the recent Brisbane weather may soften the pitch.