Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Euro 2016 Qualifier Preview: Gibraltar -v- Republic of Ireland
- Dave Donnelly
- Thu, Sep 03 2015
GIBRALTAR
Gibraltar welcome the Republic of Ireland to the Estadio Algarve in Faro (kick-off 7.45pm Irish time) with qualification already a mathematical impossibility after six losses from six in their first-ever qualification campaign.
English coach Jeff Wood takes control over the British exclave for the first time after taking over from caretaker boss Dave Wilson, who provided over the 7-0 home defeat to Germany in their last group game, in July.
The home fans are set to be outnumbered by their Irish counterparts in Faro, something Wood doesn’t feel will be a huge factor: “I think our players will respond to the bigger crowd. They did that with the Germans and will do so with the Irish support.”
Wood also believes his players are capable of competing at this level, telling The Herald: “I have worked at a lot of levels, coached at Premier League level, and I know that some of the players here are technically as good as players anywhere.”
Gibraltar’s squad is entirely amateur, with the exception of Bristol Rovers midfielder Jake Gosling, though Wood will at least be able to call on a full-strength squad from an injury and suspension point of view.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
The Republic of Ireland will expect to win for the first time in five games in Faro, as the disappointing loss in Scotland was followed up by home draws to the same opposition and Poland.
Martin O’Neill’s main selection headaches will come at goalkeeper and up-front. In goal, he will have to choose between Shay Given and David Forde – neither of whom is in favour at Stoke City or League One Millwall – or Darren Randolph, who kept a clean sheet for West Ham against Liverpool on Saturday.
Up front, Daryl Murphy, who impressed in the home draw to Scotland, misses out through injury and goalscorer Jon Walters has missed much of the week’s training as he attempted to sort out his club future. Robbie Keane scored a first-half hat-trick the last time these side’s met, and may be recalled to the starting line-up.
“It’s a massive game for us,” said assistant boss Roy Keane while speaking with the Irish Examiner this past week. “We are ready for it. Are we expected to win? Of course we are. That’s good, you know.
“The biggest danger – you sometimes see it in English cup games – if you take your eye off the ball or underestimate somebody, then you are in trouble.
“We have got to make sure that doesn’t happen. That’s part of our job. We have experienced players in our squad so I don’t think there is any chance of that happening.”
Goalkeeper Kieren Westwood was cut from the original squad along with Murphy, while Paul McShane is the latest injury enforced withdrawal, but James McCarthy and Jeff Hendrick are expected to recover from knee and ankle knocks respectively.
Referee: Marijo Strahonja (Croatia)
MATCH STATS
Gibraltar and the Republic of Ireland have met just once since the former was admitted to UEFA in 2012, with Ireland winning 7-0 at Lansdowne Road thanks to a Robbie Keane hat-trick, James McClean (2), Wes Hoolahan and an own-goal from Gibraltar keeper Perez.
That 7-0 scoreline equals Gibraltar’s biggest competitive defeat, which they’ve suffered three times in this campaign following defeats at home to Poland on the opening day and Germany in June. Their sole competitive goal came in a 6-1 defeat to Scotland.
Gibraltar sit dead last in the group – the only team aside from Andorra to have lost each of their qualifying games – while Ireland sit in fourth place on 9 points, two points behind Scotland in third and five points adrift of leaders Poland
BETTING
Gibraltar 40/1; Draw 14/1; Republic of Ireland 1/33.
PREDICTION
Gibraltar 0 – 3 Republic of Ireland
Gibraltar
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Republic of Ireland
Injured: Daryl Murphy (calf), Paul McShane (hip/back), Keiren Westwood (kidney).
Doubtful: Jeff Hendrick (ankle), James McCarthy (knee).
Suspended: None.
