International Friendly Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Belgium

Republic of Ireland

Ireland begin their 2022 campaign against the world’s number one ranked side on Saturday evening.

Stephen Kenny named his 25-man squad earlier this month, with Oxford’s Mark Sykes and St. Mirren’s Connor Ronan earning their first senior call ups. Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn since with illness, while Mark Travers and Darragh Lenihan have returned to their clubs due to injury.

Last year’s World Cup qualification campaign was a story of two halves. In the opening match away to Serbia, Alan Browne ended Ireland’s six game run without a goal before losing 3-2. The 1-0 defeat at home to Luxembourg that followed was labelled as a low point for many. Ireland’s hopes of reaching Qatar 2022 seemed over after the first two games.

Kenny took his side to a training camp in Spain ahead of two friendlies last summer. It was the first time the manager had an extended period to work with his emerging side, without injury or Covid-19 issues affecting plans.

This proved to be a turning point for the team, who lost just one of their next ten games. In September, John Egan’s first half-header away in Portugal had Ireland minutes away from their greatest ever result, until two late Cristiano Ronaldo headers crushed Kenny’s side. Despite the result, it was apparent that Ireland were beginning to prosper. Home draws to Azerbaijan and Serbia followed, as fans returned to the Aviva to watch Kenny’s side live for the first time.

Ireland scored ten goals in their final four games last year, holding Portugal to a 0-0 home draw along the way. The Boys in Green defeated Luxembourg 3-0 away in their final qualifier, finishing third in the group. Over 1,000 travelling Ireland fans belted out ‘there's only one Stephen Kenny’ that night, and it seemed certain the 50-year-olds contract would be extended.

That announcement came earlier this month, with Kenny signing a contract until the end of the Euro 2024 campaign. ‘I consider it the ultimate honour to manage my country and I am delighted to extend my contract,’ he said at the time. After so many Covid-19 issues, empty stadiums and endless contract talk, the ex-Dundalk boss will no doubt be delighted to focus on football now with his future beyond doubt.

Speaking to the media ahead of the ‘FAI’s Centenary’ game, Kenny said that although Belgium are missing their big names, Ireland’s injured players would have made the same impact.

‘The games next week against Belgium and Lithuania are special games,’ Kenny said.

‘We're missing Adam Idah, Andrew Omobamidele, Enda Stevens who are frontline players for us.’

‘Kevin de Bruyne is a world-class player and is great to watch, it would be great for the Irish public to see him because he is a real special talent.’

‘They have a formidable team, a world number one team, and a formidable strength in depth and we're aware of that. We have emerging players. The players that we're missing have an equal effect on the players they're missing from their team.’

Belgium

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has opted to leave players with 50 or more caps at home. Star names like Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku wont grace the Aviva on Saturday evening, although others like Liverpool’s Divock Origi and Leicester’s Youri Tielemans are set to feature.

Belgium are in good form heading into the friendly. They went unbeaten in World Cup qualifying, winning six and drawing two. Lukaku was Belgium's top scorer in that campaign with five goals in four starts.

Martinez, who now has ex-Ireland coach Anthony Barry amongst his staff, has his sights firmly set on their Nations League campaign later in the year. His side will take on Wales, Poland and Holland in June and September before they compete in the World Cup in Qatar in December. Belgium also claimed third place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, beating England 2-0 in the tournament's penultimate game.

‘It is up to them to take the lead against Ireland and show what they can do,’ said Martinez ahead of the game.

‘This is the last straight line to the formation of the World Cup squad, so I will be able to collect a lot of information during this stage and the four Nations League matches in June.’

‘We hatched a plan a long time ago to only call up players with less than 50 caps, so I'm not going to change that now. The past two years during the pandemic have been very taxing on players due to the busy programme of successive international matches.’

‘Knowing that we are playing a World Cup at the end of this year, it is crucial that the experienced players, who have already had a very busy period for their clubs, are both mentally and physically fresh by then.’

The game will be shown on Sky Sports Premier League with coverage starting at 4:30pm. The game will not be broadcast on RTE, however highlights will be on Virgin Media Two at 10pm on Saturday night.

Referee: Nicolas Walsh (Scotland)

MATCH STATS

The two sides have met 15 times. Ireland have beaten the Belgians on four occasions, drawn five and lost six.

Ireland have not beaten Belgium in any of their last seven meetings. Their last win over the Red Devils came in 3-2 friendly win in May 1966.

The last meeting between the two came in the Euro 2016 group stage. A second half brace from Romelu Lukaku either side of an Axel Witsel strike secured three points for Belgium in Bordeaux. Both players have been left out of this Belgium squad.

Ireland midfielder Josh Cullen may come up against his Anderlecht teammate Yari Verschaeren on Saturday. Shane Duffy’s Brighton teammate Leandro Trossard is expected to line out, while Caoimhín Kelleher’s Liverpool colleague Divock Origi may start too.

Prediciton: Republic of Ireland 1 - 1 Belgium

Republic of Ireland

Injured: Andrew Omobamidele, Enda Stevens, Adam Idah, Darragh Lenihan, Mark Travers, Gavin Bazunu (illness).

Doubtful:

Suspended:

Belgium

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: N/A