World Cup Qualifier Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Moldova

• Dylan O'Connell
• Fri, Oct 06 2017




REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

With qualification on threads; the Republic of Ireland will be facing an uphill struggle as they take on Moldova this evening at the Aviva Stadium (kick off 7:45, live on RTE 2).

 

Following last month’s disappointing 1-0 loss at home to Serbia; the Boys in Green find themselves in need of a wins in order to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. One win in seven for Martin O’Neill’s side has greatly hindered top spot potential, with a win this evening potentially setting up a play off for a play off in Cardiff on Monday for the promised land of Russia.

 

A win tonight coupled with a win on Monday away to Wales should see the Republic of Ireland potentially sneak into a playoff spot. Ireland boast a 100% record going in to tonight’s game following on from last October’s 3-1 win away to tonight’s visitors. Goals from Shane Long combined with a double from James McClean helped secure a routine victory against Moldova.

 

Speaking before tonight’s game; Martin O’Neill issued a rallying cry for his players to see out this campaign starting with a win on Friday night in front of a home crowd.

 

“We have to win the game on Friday and it's going to be a tough match. We have shown in the past great resilience and great courage and can fight back from some adversity, that is what we are strong at."

 

“That's what we need to show on Friday. If we win the game, that will give us enough confidence to go over to Cardiff.”

 

Having conceded any other outcomes bar a win, O’Neill called this game a, “must win” for his side with the Boys in Green coming in battered and bruised from club and county.

 

Both Robbie Brady and James McClean will be missing out tonight due to suspensions while Jon Walters remains doubtful. Adding to the growing headache Cyrus Christie, Shane Duffy, Stephen Ward,  Aiden McGeady, David Meyler and Glenn Whelan will be hoping to avoid the referee’s book tonight as any potential bookings will see them missing out on Monday’s battle against Wales.

 

In tonight’s squad are also uncapped trio Daryl Horgan, Scott Hogan and Sean Maguire who will be itching to taste first team football on the hallowed turf of Lansdowne Road. Maguire has been in excellent form of late for Preston North End since his move from Cork City in July 2017. Both Maguire and Horgan have the added experience of the Aviva Stadium at club level with the pair having lined up against one another in the 2016 FAI Cup final.

 

 

MOLDOVA

Moldova head to the Aviva Stadium having not won a competitive match since October 2013 but despite having only claimed two points so far this qualification campaign, they should not be underestimated by Martin O’Neill’s side.

 

So far this campaign they have taken secured two extremely credible draws against Georgia whilst there have been other performances that have caught the eyes of the onlookers including last month’s defeat to Wales in which they manged to hold their superior opposition scoreless for 80 minutes.

 

Amongst the travelling party that are in Dublin will be midfielder Alexandru Gatcan who has Europa League experience with his club side Rostov.

 

Gatcan along with the rest of his teammates will be aiming to finish what has been a massively disappointing campaign for the Moldovans on a high.

 

 

MATCH STATS

This is the second ever competitive meeting between the sides with the Republic of Ireland holding a 100% record from last October’s win against Moldova.

 

Moldova have been known to pull off a shock upset; with the side having claimed two points already in this campaign following a 2-2 draw against Georgia and a 1-1 in the return leg across the campaign.

 

Republic of Ireland are winless in their last four qualifiers, scoring just two goals in the process.

 

 

BETTING:

Republic of Ireland 1/8; Draw 7/1, Moldova 28/1.

 

PREDICTION:

Republic of Ireland 3-0 Moldova.

 

 

Republic of Ireland:

Injured: James McCarthy.

Doubtful: John Walters.

Suspended: Robbie Brady and James McClean.

 

Moldova:

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None. 

 

With additional reporting from Gareth O'Reilly