UEFA Nations League Group B1: Republic of Ireland v Ukraine (tonight, Aviva Stadium Dublin, 7.45pm)
REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny says he and his team have to “accept criticism when you lose to Armenia” – and hopes they have dusted themselves down sufficiently ahead of tonight’s second Nations League group game with war-torn Ukraine.
While Saturday’s defeat wasn’t exactly on a par with Ireland’s shock home defeat to Luxembourg, which effectively ended their hopes of a place at the 2022 World Cup finals, it wasn’t too far off it either.
The Irish, however, have shown good bouncebackability under the 50-year-old Dubliner as they go in search of that elusive first win in the Nations League.
Martin O’Neill failed to win a game in the relatively new competition, which is designed to boost a nation’s seeding as well as reducing the amount of friendlies in the international calendar, while Kenny has yet to chalk up a win after a COVID-ravaged 2020/21 campaign.
Kenny’s approach has been entirely different to previous managers. While predecessors Giovanni Trapattoni, Martin O’Neill and Mick McCarthy often lamented the lack of quality at their disposal, Kenny has gone in the opposite direction.
Although acknowledging the lack of experience in parts of his squad, you’ll never hear the current manager bemoan their ability.
If anything, he’s hyped up the current crop of players and in doing so has probably drawn a bigger target on his back for critics, particularly when the team stumbles to morale-sapping defeats like last Saturday’s in Yerevan.
It means faith can be lost in Kenny’s lofty project as quickly as it can be restored with every upturn and downturn in fortunes.
Everyone will be looking for evidence in the capital tonight to either back up their own scepticism or optimism in the manager.
Asked if he had been surprised by the criticism in the aftermath of their 1-0 defeat to a team ranked 92nd in the world, Kenny said: "No, no. When you lose to Armenia, you have to accept criticism, so I wasn't surprised by that."
He added: "It's a long trip but longer when you lose, for sure. Listen, that's the nature of this game. You get your kicks in the teeth and have to dust yourself down and go again.
"We don't have time. We analysed the game and debriefed. We did that and moved on quickly. Ukraine is a completely different challenge tactically. We've got to switch on quickly to make sure we're ready.”
Unsurprisingly, Seamus Coleman (groin) is ruled out of tonight’s Nations League tie with a groin injury following his exertions in the searing heat of Yerevan, with Cyrus Christie fancied to play down Ireland’s right side.
Dara O'Shea, James McClean, Jason Knight and Alan Browne – all on Ireland’s bench last Saturday night – will be hoping to get the nod in a bid to shake things up.
Asked if he felt it was a must-win game with the hope of topping their group, the manager replied: “Listen, we want to try and win the game. Whatever team Ukraine put out they’ll be top class players.
“They play with a swagger. They have a high technical level. We’ll have a passionate crowd here that will help the players.
“We’ll do everything. As I said, we had a bit of a setback on Saturday and we want to bounce back tomorrow night.”
Which Ukrainian team turns up is anyone’s guess.
Oleksandr Petrakov’s side played exceptionally well against Scotland and Wales, and were desperately unlucky not to advance to the World Cup finals in November at the expense of the Welsh last Sunday.
Tonight’s visitors to Dublin will feel they are playing more than a football match, that they are representing every Ukrainian currently under siege by Russia back home.
That is some incentive despite their gut-wrenching World Cup play-off loss only three days ago. But it's how they cope with that defeat ahead of tonight.
At yesterday’s press conference, defender Shane Duffy paid tribute to the Ukrainian players for how they’ve handled themselves.
"It's really emotional for all of them and they should be really proud of how they handled themselves, especially in the last two games, carrying their country, and I think everyone was willing them to try and get to the World Cup.
"I think they can be really proud of themselves and hold their heads up really high and keep going.
"We know it's really emotional times for everyone there, so it will be a special game and one we're all really looking forward to."
