Soccer

Republic and the North can make it to 2018 World Cup says Gerry Armstrong

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane during the 1-0 win over Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane during the 1-0 win over Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane during the 1-0 win over Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

THE Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are both capable of making it to next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia, says Gerry Armstrong.

Armstrong, who became Northern Ireland’s 1982 World Cup hero after a sparkling career in GAA for Antrim and Belfast club St John’s, says both sides can progress to the tournament after the north were paired against Switzerland and the Republic drew Denmark in yesterday’s play-off draw.

Martin O’Neill’s side play the first leg in Denmark on Saturday, November 11 and then host the Danes at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, November 14. Meanwhile, Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland meet the Swiss at Windsor Park on Thursday, November 9 with the away leg in Basle three days later.

Armstrong, a team-mate of Republic boss Martin O’Neill in Spain 35 years ago, says neither side can complain too much after avoiding more difficult assignments, certainly on paper, against Italy (who drew Sweden) and Croatia, who meet Greece.

“I was speaking to Martin about it earlier and we’re hoping it’ll work out that both of us make it to Russia,” said the Falls Road native.

“I think they are pretty decent draws for us and the Republic. We didn’t want Italy, nobody wanted Italy, so to avoid them was good.

“The Republic have the first leg at home so they’re in a good place. They’ll go to Denmark and hopefully get a result there and they’ll know exactly what they’ve got to do in Dublin with the crowd behind them.

“They’re away performances in qualifying were brilliant, they played really well away from home and that really bodes well for them.

“Northern Ireland could have done with the second leg at home but if we can get something from the first leg and take a lead to Switzerland we are good at holding the fort away from home. That might suit as well so, all-in-all, it’s a good draw.”

The Republic go into their play-off on the back of crucial victories against Moldova in Dublin and then a battling 1-0 Wales in Cardiff thanks to a superb strike from Derry native James McClean. The North’s form tailed off towards the end of their Group C campaign but the job had been done before they finished with losses against runaway group winners Germany and then Norway.

“I wouldn’t read anything in those two losses at all,” said Armstrong.

“We knew we were going to be looking for second place behind Germany so players tend to psychologically switch off. Plus we were missing four or five key players and hopefully we’ll have two or three of them back.

“Gareth McAuley had only played about 55 minutes of football this season before he played against Germany so he has done well to come through that match and the game in Norway and he’ll be fitter for the play-offs. Paddy McNair played the other night for Sunderland and scored, so he’ll be available too.”

Denmark go into their double-header with the Republic despite registering four wins and a draw in their last five group games, a run that included a 4-0 victory over five-point group winners Poland.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland opponents Switzerland won nine on-the-trot in Group B before losing 2-0 against Euro 2016 champions Portugal in Lisbon and missing out on automatic qualification on goal difference.

Ticket information

THE eight football associations involved in next month’s play-offs must agree ticket allocations for travelling supporters by Friday.

The minimum Uefa allowance for visiting fans is five per cent of stadium capacity meaning that the Republic of Ireland will be guaranteed around 1,900 tickets for Copenhagen’s atmospheric Parken Stadium and Northern Ireland’s Green and White Army will get a minimum of 1,875 for Basle’s St Jakob Park.

An FAI spokesman explained: “We’ll be looking for as many as we can get, but it’ll be reciprocal and we’ll have to give Denmark the same.”

Fixtures

Nov 9: Northern Ireland v Switzerland (8.45pm), Nov 12: Switzerland v Northern Ireland (6pm)

Nov 11: Denmark v Rep of Ireland (8.45pm), Nov 14: Republic of Ireland v Denmark (8.45pm)