Preview: Cyprus v Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland will be aiming to put last month’s 3-0 defeat to Australia behind them as they return to World Cup qualifying on Saturday. Ireland go into the game as one of three unbeaten sides – Italy and Bulgaria being the other two. Cyprus appear off the pace having collected just five points from six games but will be hoping a late push could get them back into the race for South Africa 2010.
While Ireland had a shocker in August, Cyprus suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat at the hands of Cyprus meaning both teams go into the game on the back of heavy losses.
The ghosts of the disastrous Euro 2008 camp still haunt the Irish camp and in particular the 5-2 loss to Cyprus which hastened manager Steve Staunton’s departure. Since then, Ireland and Cyprus drew 1-1 at home in the same campaign with an early Robbie Keane goal giving Ireland victory when they sides last met – October in Dublin.
In team news Sean St Ledger is set to face a late fitness test with Stephen Kelly looking the most likely option to replace him if he is unavailable. Paul McShane who was drafted in late to the squad is also an injury doubt but wasn’t expected to feature in the starting line-up anyway.
The FAI’s planning has come in for criticism in the build-up to the game when it emerged that the flight out of Dublin didn’t have enough first class seats to accommodate all management and players. Although the FAI have brushed aside the incident there may yet be a backlash and it will be interesting to see how many withdrawals hit the squad ahead of next week’s friendly with South Africa.
Cyprus v Republic of Ireland – Saturday, 5th September 2009
kick off: 7:30pm (Irish time) – Neo GSP Stadium, Nicosia
Referee : Thomas Einwaller (Austria)
Live on Sky Sports 1, RTE 2 & RTE Radio 1
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