Soccer

Republic of Ireland can take another step towards Russia finals

Jonathan Walters is hoping to carry on his fine form from last week's friendly win over Uruguay
Jonathan Walters is hoping to carry on his fine form from last week's friendly win over Uruguay Jonathan Walters is hoping to carry on his fine form from last week's friendly win over Uruguay

2018 World Cup Qualifying Group D: Republic of Ireland v Austria (tomorrow, Dublin, 5pm)

DESPITE the Republic of Ireland’s lofty position in Group D, it’s easy to understand Roy Keane’s caution ahead of tomorrow evening’s World Cup Qualifier with Austria.

Since the days of Giovanni Trapattoni, the Irish have invariably struggled on home soil.

There are countless examples over the last 10 years of the Republic performing better on their travels, none more so than November’s uplifting 1-0 win over Austria in Vienna.

But their home form still gnaws at them.

In their two home games in the current campaign, Martin O’Neill’s men have been disappointing.

Last October, Georgia ran rings around the Irish for an hour before sheer doggedness and an untidy Seamus Coleman goal saw the minnows beaten.

It was a similar story against Wales three months ago. Their Celtic neighbours played what football there was before a late, slightly agricultural rally in the final 20 minutes from the home side gave their performance an air of redemption.

And yet, O’Neill’s men bagged four points out of a possible six without playing well.

Armed with the experience of Euro 2016, this Republic of Ireland side copes well in adversity.

They mightn’t have the Green Army drooling with delightful one-touch football, but they don’t fold under pressure.

You would need to travel far to find a more united group than this Republic team.

Keane, quite correctly, has highlighted the need for more individual quality to break down Austria tomorrow night – with Harry Arter and Robbie Brady to the fore - but everything comes back to Ireland’s dogged nature.

They will test Austria’s resolve in the early stages of tomorrow night’s showdown and they will find out quite quickly whether the visitors are up for the fight.

All the noises emanating from the Austrian camp suggests they may have run out of fight under Marcel Koller.

Touted as one of the dark horses at Euro 2016, the manner of their first-round exit in France has had a demoralising impact on the squad.

It would be a major surprise if they are able to retrieve anything from the current campaign.

But there is always Ireland’s home form to encourage them and knowing that nothing less than a win will mean their qualification hopes are dust.

The home side will miss Shane Long’s blinding pace up front – but Jonathan Walters looked very comfortable in the central attacking role against Uruguay last Sunday, while James McClean has delivered a series of inspiring performances including three precious goals.

Keane, though, wasn’t reading too much into last weekend’s 3-1 win over the South Americans.

“You’re never defined by friendly matches,” he said.

“It’s alright saying we played some lovely football [against Uruguay] but you need to do that on Sunday.

"Find a way to win. The whole feel to the game on Sunday will obviously be a lot different to the Uruguay game. We’re not here for friendly matches. We’ll be defined by what happens in big games.”

Keane had just come from the training pitch before meeting the media yesterday and was happy to report some “needle” and “edge” in the session.

“There was a bit of edge in training today – that’s what you want,” he said.

“The last eight or nine days have been lovely, it’s been nice but I woke up this morning and I hoped there would be a bit of an edge to training and that’s exactly what there was.

“And that’s what you want from your players. There was a nice feeling to training today, players on the edge with some of the stuff we were doing.

“I like the one or two days before a game. The other games I can take with a pinch of salt but Sunday is what we’re here for. So we want to get on with it and be ready for it.”

The mood music coming out of the Ireland camp is positive.

And, as Keane noted: “It’s their last 90 minutes of the season. It’s a long summer if you don’t get a result.”

A home win is expected in Dublin tomorrow night.

It will be scruffy.

It will be a hard watch at times.

But, since did aesthetics matter to this strongly united group of players.

Republic of Ireland (probable): Randolph, Christie, Ward, O’Shea, Duffy, Whelan, Arter, Hendrick, McClean, Walters, Brady

Austria (probable): Linder, Dragovic, Prodhl, Hinteregger, Baumgartlinger, Lazaro, Junozovic, Alaba, Harnik, Burgstaller, Kainz