– Paul Dollery reports from Cardiff
MARTIN O’NEILL HOPES one of the most memorable wins in Ireland’s footballing history can provide some inspiration for his team in tomorrow night’s decisive World Cup qualifier against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium.
A win in the Welsh capital in their final Group D fixture would guarantee Ireland a play-off spot — or automatic qualification if Georgia manage to spring a major surprise by beating Serbia in Belgrade.
“It compares very favourably with a lot of big matches that I’ve been involved in because it’s a World Cup,” O’Neill said this afternoon at Ireland’s pre-match press conference at the home of Cardiff City Football Club.
“It doesn’t really get much bigger than that. We put ourselves in a position where we have to win the game and I think from the way things are going, probably Wales will be exactly in the same position, so it’s all to play for. Big, big game ahead.”
That only a victory will suffice for Ireland has evoked memories of the game against Italy in Lille last summer. Needing a win to progress to the knockout stages at Euro 2016, Ireland got the result they needed thanks to a late Robbie Brady header.
“We have got 90 minutes in which to try to get a goal,” O’Neill said. “I think our approach will be quite similar to the one we had against Italy in Lille, where we knew before the game that a win was the only thing that mattered for us.
“I thought we played with a lot of verve, a lot of determination, got out, closed Italy down very, very quickly — and a lot of that will be necessary tomorrow night -– but we created some chances and finally took one with five minutes to go in an epic game.
“It’s not that far back in the memory that the players shouldn’t consider it when we are approaching this game. But obviously, whatever gameplan we have we are going to try to utilise it as best we possibly can.
“I think there’s a bit of everything in it. I think there’s a bit of patience. I think you can be too patient, but at the same time, at the end of 90 minutes, we have got to find ourselves in front. I think we are capable of doing that.”
With Robbie Brady and James McClean set to return after missing Friday’s 2-0 win against Moldova, O’Neill also reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of tomorrow night’s game.
Wales, semi-finalists at Euro 2016, are set to be without star player Gareth Bale. The Real Madrid attacker also missed their 1-0 win away to Georgia on Friday due to a calf injury.
“It doesn’t really worry me because we have to win the game,” O’Neill said when asked about Wales being regarded as favourites.
“They are playing at home, so they have an obvious advantage there. But we had to take that into consideration when the group format was first put in front of us and it’s there for tomorrow night, so it’s all to play for.”
I was in Lille that match, the fans role were probably the most important part.
@Jordan Callaghan: hopefully the away end is loud tomorrow
@Jordan Callaghan: and the fact that the Italians rolled over.
@Peter Kiernan: ahhhh Peter don’t be talking sense. Nothing like a heroic effort in the last must win game to get everyone pumped …. Let’s forget how O’Neill was too afraid to try to win the games that could have had us already qualified.
Different scenario somewhat compared to Lille. Wales also have to go for a win as well, whereas Italy were already qualified and focused on their next game
CUIR IAD FAOI BRÚ!
PUT ‘EM UNDER PRESSURE!
Doo de doo de doo de do. do do do!
This Irish team have proven this campaign that they are far better away from home. I was in Vienna when we played well and won. This Welsh side are no better than us. They’ve been outplayed on home turf more than once recently and got lucky. Hopefully their luck will finally run out tomorrow night.
Are Wales putting out the B team???
An Italian B team is better than a welsh A team.
….and Ireland calls on Martin O’Neill to pick a team that is attack minded and instruct them to have a real go at Wales. It’s all or nothing now. No point in playing defensive, getting a 0-0 draw and then regretting the one or two chances that got away. I don’t want to see the word “brave” used to describe Ireland if we fail tomorrow.
Well let them play like they did in Lille… not just long ball boring stuff, give it a proper go COYBIG
@Dermo: well said Dermo
Is it true that O’Neill is Trapattoni in disguise? He refuses to allow his team use their own initiative when it really matters.