Only a win will do for the Republic of Ireland against Moldova on Friday evening with second spot still in their sights.
Kick-off: October 6, 19:45; Venue: Aviva Stadium; Referee: Bas Nijhuis
Martin O’Neill’s side trail Wales, who currently occupy second place, by one point with it all to play for over the next two games.
That said, only eight of the nine runners-up will be entered into the play-offs, with Wales currently missing out, but Ireland should do their utmost to get two wins under their belt without worrying about any of the other nations.
“We have to win the game on Friday and it’s going to be a tough match,” O’Neill said in a pre-match press conference.
“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.
“I think there is much to look forward to. We qualified for a competition and I think season tickets have gone from 4,000 to 16,000 so I think there is some evidence we are doing okay.
“We are still in the mix and one out of one [qualifying] at this minute is not too bad.”
Unfortunately for O’Neill, Ireland are without both Robbie Brady and James McClean due to suspension. Jonathan Walters is another absentee with a knee injury, meaning the Irish are short in the attacking department.
However, after a long spell on the sidelines, James McCarthy has returned to training but will unlikely feature because of match fitness. New arrivals Sean Maguire, Scott Hogan and Aiden O’Brien will all be hoping to get their first caps for the country over the coming week.
It makes for worrying reading that Ireland are winless in their last four World Cup Qualifiers (D3 L1), scoring just two goals in the process and missing McClean — O’Neill’s top goal scorer during this campaign — won’t make matters easier.
But this isn’t an Ireland team that is renowned for scoring many goals. Frontman Shane Long becomes isolated up front but O’Neill has other players capable of chipping in and handing the Irish some much-needed belief ahead of their clash with Wales in Cardiff.
Moldova, sitting at the bottom of Group D, have nothing to play for. This should be a walk in the park for Ireland with the home support roaring them all the way.
If Ireland don’t come out of these two games with two wins it will be a very boring summer for the Irish, who made all the headlines during the last European Championship for light-hearted tomfoolery across France.
