International Friendly Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Belgium

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

It will be a little over four months since fans last got to see the Boys in Green in action when they host Belgium at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 5pm).

A lot has happened since that November 21^st draw against New Zealand – Stephen Kenny departed the managerial hot seat as expected and a drawn out process for his successor has ensued.

There is still no clarity on who will eventually take over as permanent manager although one thing is clear after this week – Lee Carsley has ruled himself out of the running.

The 118 time capped Ireland international John O’Shea has taken the reins on an interim basis for the two friendly games against Belgium and Switzerland with former Ireland boss Brian Kerr returning to the fold as technical advisor almost 20 years after he departed as manager.

But on to looking ahead at the game and Ireland’s first chance at a win in Dublin since last June’s victory over Gibraltar.

O’Shea has a couple of injury concerns with Troy Parrott and Liam Scales both ruled out during the week, the interim boss has not called up any additional cover.

Ryan Manning has been confirmed to be in the squad on Friday, the Southampton defender had an injury in the lead up to the squad announcement, but he has been cleared to feature for Ireland.

All eyes will be on Sammie Szmodics who is in line to make his debut for Ireland on Saturday – the striker has been in stellar form for his club having scored 27 goals in all competitions for Blackburn Rovers this season.

“All the conversations I had with Sammie were straightforward, he’s buzzing and it’s great to have someone who has been consistent and in form,” O’Shea said, speaking at the squad announcement last week.

“He can float in as a striker as a number 10. From what I have noticed from watching Sammie over the last number of seasons in the Championship, every level he has gone to he has responded to it and been able to cope no problem.

“He has just grown and has that maturity in his game. I think he’s versatile in that sense. It won't be a problem to him whatever player he’s picked alongside, or if he is picked that he will cope with that.

“He’ll bring an intelligence in his game that he has developed over the last few years, whether in false positions, he can drift in off the left, drift in off the right, he can cope with any type of strike partner, a front four combination, or front three or whatever it might be.

“He's very flexible like that, and it is good to have a player like that coming in scoring 27 goals, 21 in the league, it is very important.”

Also in line to make their debuts are Lyon defender Jake O’Brien and Middlesborough midfielder Finn Azaz who have been called up to the squad for the first time.

There are also returns for Michael Obafemi, Robbie Brady, Callum O'Dowda and captain Seamus Coleman who returns to the squad for the first time since the 1-0 defeat to France in March having suffered a knee injury which ruled him out of the rest of the 2023 campaign.

BELGIUM

Belgium arrive in Dublin off the back of a successful qualifying campaign for EURO 2024 which sees them placed in a group with Romania, Slovakia and either Iceland or Ukraine – depending on who emerges from the playoffs.

They are on an eleven match unbeaten run which stretches back to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, their last loss came against Morocco as the Red Devils had a disappointing tournament and exited at the group stages.

That tournament saw a change in manager from Roberto Martinez to current coach Domenico Tedesco who remains unbeaten while in charge of Belgium with eight wins and two draws to his name.

The Royal Belgian Football Association announced last week that Tedesco has extended his contract with the team and will remain as manager until after the World Cup in 2026.

The squad coming to Dublin will be without major stars, Kevin DeBruyne and Thibaut Courtois both unavailable due to injury. Romeulu Lukaku was ruled out this week due to injury.

Michy Batshuayi is in the squad, the Fenerbache striker scored against Ireland the last time Belgium faced the Boys in Green.

Jérémy Doku and Arsenal’s Leonardo Trossard, along with fellow Premier League stars Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans and Timothy Castagne are all included in the squad.

Nottingham Forest and Luton Town goalkeepers Matz Sels and Thomas Kaminski have also been named in the squad – with Kaminski in line for his first cap.

Former Tottenham defender and record appearance holder for the Red Devils Jan Vertonghen could also feature.

After tomorrow’s game, Belgium travel to Wembley to face England on Tuesday.

Referee: Rohit Saggi (Norway)

MATCH STATS

The Republic of Ireland and Belgium have faced each other 16 times, winning just four of those games and losing six.

Ireland last beat Belgium in May 1966 in a friendly in Liege, a 2-3 victory, Noel Cantwell with a brace and Johnny Fulham with the final goal.

The sides last met in March 2022, a 2-2 draw in Dublin, Chiedozie Ogbene and Alan Browne getting the goals for Ireland.

PREDICTION

Republic of Ireland 1–3 Belgium

Republic of Ireland

Injured: Troy Parrott, Liam Scales.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Belgium

Injured: Romelu Lukaku.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.