Aviva Stadium Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)
World Cup Qualifier Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Luxembourg
- Mario Bowden
- Fri, Mar 26 2021
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
The pressure is on manager Stephen Kenny to get a result against Luxembourg this Saturday evening in the Aviva Stadium in their second 2022 World Cup qualifier (Kick off 7. 45pm).
The Boys in Green lost their opening match on Wednesday to Serbia – losing 3-2 away in Belgrade. The defeat was Kenny’s ninth game in a row without a win (four draws and five losses). A tenth would not go down well among Ireland fans.
Ireland took the lead after 18 minutes on Wednesday, after a delightful Alan Browne header.
Serbia hit back with an equaliser from Dusan Vlahovic before half-time – and two goals from Aleksander Mitrovic secured the victory for the home side.
Substitute James Collins did pull one back for Ireland in the 86th minute. But the home side comfortably saw out the rest of the game.
“The concession of the second goal is a disappointing goal, we know that. After the third goal we’re wondering how we’re 3-1 down,” said Kenny in his post-match press conference.
“We’re just disappointed to lose the game really. It hurts. Serbia are a very good team. They have a lot of good attacking players. But we feel that we are disappointed to lose.”
Despite the loss , there was some positives to take from the game in Belgrade. Ireland experimented with a 3-5-2.
This allowed our wingbacks to push forward. A preferred position for Tottenham’s Matt Doherty, who had his captain Seamus Coleman slotting just behind him – albeit in a more central role.
The three in the middle, Jason Molumby, Josh Cullen and Alan Browne proved a pivotal component of Ireland’s build-up play.
Although the midfield was chopped and changed on the hour mark – the starting trio demonstrated Kenny’s clear desire to get players passing fluidly and with purpose.
Ireland scored. Twice. Ending a run of 678 minutes without scoring. Both goals were taken exceptionally well too from Browne and Collins. Here’s hoping that there will be more on Saturday. But more importantly this time, a victory.
With Kelleher and Darren Randolph both still out of action – it’s likely that third choice goalkeeper Mark Travers will get another run out in the Aviva although Aaron Connolly is ruled out.
LUXEMBOURG
Luxembourg faced off against Qatar on Wednesday in the first organised of the friendlies among the Group A teams with the World Cup hosts. Qatar were the victors on the night – winning 1-0 in Budapest.
Ireland’s last outing against Luxembourg was back in 1987 in the Euro ’88 qualifiers. Goals from Frank Stapleton and Paul McGrath on the day gave Ireland the three points.
Although sitting 98th in the FIFA world rankings, Luxembourg are not the pushovers they once were in past eras. In fact, if we’re going off current form, Luxembourg are in an arguably stronger position than Ireland.
In the last six games, Luxembourg have pulled off two wins and a draw. They finished second in their Nations League group (C1) – beating the winners of the group Montenegro 2-1 in the final game.
Manager Luc Holtz is without the experienced Chris Philips – who tested positive for COVID-19. After an outbreak in his club team, Wiltz 71, Philips did not travel to Hungary for the friendly against Qatar.
Luxembourg are likely to line-up in a 4-5-1 formation – with regulars Lars Krogh Gerson, Stefano Bensi, Maurice Deville and captain Laurent Jans all expected to start.
Dirk Carlson is the only confirmed player on the side-line for the visitors. Defender Mica Pinto did suffer a knock on Wednesday however he is expected to shake it off.
Discipline could be one to look out for. Remarkably, Luxembourg have picked up four red cards in their last seven matches – three in the Nations League and one in the match last Wednesday.
Referee: Fran Jovi? (Croatia)
BETTING
Ireland 2/5 – Draw 3/1 – Luxembourg 6/1
PREDICTION
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Luxembourg
Republic of Ireland
Injured: Darren Randolph, Caoimhin Kelleher, John Egan, Kevin Long, Conor Hourihane, Callum O’Dowda, Adam Idah, James McCarthy, Aaron Connolly.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Luxembourg
Injured: Dick Carlson
Doubtful: Mica Pinto
Suspended: None.
Stephen Kenny: 'You straight away start thinking how are we at 3-1' https://t.co/mK3pqGt9Sppic.twitter.com/lsUcZfKD7X
— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 25, 2021
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