It’s a case of now or never for Heimir Hallgrímsson’s Ireland team as Armenia visit the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday.
Two defeats in the opening three games leave Ireland in a scene from the 90’s film dumber and dumber.
“So you’re telling me there’s a chance” roared Jim Carey having asked a married woman on the possibility of a date.
Ireland are bottom of the group, one point from three games. A win is all there can be. Whereas, one eye will be on Lisbon and the meeting of Portugal and Hungary. A win for Portugal will see them win the group and officially end Ireland’s automatic hopes.
Any other result with an Ireland win would leave the door ajar for qualification. A draw or worse would probably also officially end the dream.
However, Ireland are on a five-game streak without a win across all competitions (D3 L2). They last suffered a longer run between November 2019 and March 2021 (12 games).
A run which included no victories through Stephen Kenny’s first 11 matches in charge.
“I've always been honest with you, I believe in this team” explained Hallgrímsson. “I think this team has everything to qualify for the World Cup”.
“We are not maybe the favourites in the group at the moment, but a win tomorrow would change that. And I believe that we are going to do that” added Hallgrímsson.
“If you have seen the last game from Armenia where they went to Hungary, we know that it's a good team. Hungary was lucky to go away with the win, even at 1-0.
“Armenia had lots of good opportunities to punish and it's just a good team. So never ever anyone here underestimate Armenia.”
Armenia have only ever beaten Andorra home and away in the same campaign
Underestimate Armenia is something Ireland cannot do. The 2022 defeat to Armenia was listed by one newspaper as one of the top five worst Ireland results since 1970.
Many rated last month’s defeat as one of the worst Irish performances. Whereas, the Irish team picture is not good.
Ireland are winless in their last six home World Cup qualifiers (D4 L2), with their last four on home soil all ending as draws.
Indeed, there is a fear Ireland may become the second team to lose home and away to Armenia after Andorra!
However, there are bright spots. Séamus Coleman could make his 75th appearance for Ireland (currently on 74 caps).
Should he do so, he would be the first defender to reach this milestone for the Boys in Green since Richard Dunne in June 2012 against Spain.
Hallgrímsson will be forced into at least one change from the team that started in Lisbon. Josh Cullen is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the campaign.
Charlton Athletic's Conor Coventry has been called into the squad as his replacement. Liam Scales remains unavailable for the fixture.
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), John Egan (Hull City), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Will Ferry (Dundee United).
Midfielders: Will Smallbone (Millwall), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic).
Attackers: Evan Ferguson (AS Roma), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United), Festy Ebosele (İstanbul Başakşehir), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town).
Republic of Ireland v Armenia
Tuesday, October 14
Aviva Stadium, Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Benoīt Bastien (FRA)
