Republic of Ireland squad announced for Gibraltar and Georgia upcoming fixtures:
Goalkeepers: David Forde, Shay Given, Darren Randolph
Defenders: Richard Keogh, Marc Wilson, Séamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, John O’Shea, Alex Pearce, Ciaran Clark, Paul McShane
Midfielder: James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Stephen Ward, Glenn Whelan, Eunan O’Kane, Aiden McGeady, James McClean, Robbie Brady, Anthony Pilkington, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Wes Hoolahan
Strikers: Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle, Adam Rooney.
The next two fixtures will shape Group D in the race to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2016 which is set to be held in France. Republic of Ireland (ROI) will discover whether, after these rounds of fixtures, there is more than a mathematical chance of qualifying automatically or through the play-off stage. As the tournament has been extended to 24 teams, the first two places qualify by design immediately for the finals, and the third place in the group goes into a play-off with seven other teams from the neighbouring groups.
Poland, Germany and Scotland are ahead of ROI at the moment; that will have to change. As in golf, this has to be moving weekend for Ireland or they will have to face the near impossibility of beating Germany at home and Poland away in their last two games. Two wins out of two are needed from Ireland, with a favour from Georgia and Germany, in order for this weekend to be a success.
The upcoming games for this weekend in Group D are:
Friday 4th of September
Gibraltar vs. Republic of Ireland, Estádio Algarve, Faro-Loulé (POR), 19:45
This is a must-win in Portugal against Gibraltar; else it’s all over for the Republic of Ireland in this campaign. The Gibraltar side have scored once in six matches and have a goal difference of -33. The fact that Scotland and Poland have to face them again means this game is nearly pointless, as all teams will achieve maximum points against the minnows.
Germany vs. Poland, Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt (GER), 19:45
This is a case of first vs. second in the group, with Poland having a one-point advantage over their rivals. The Republic of Ireland need a win in this game for either team; a draw is no good as they need to start making up ground on one of these teams to leave it in their own hands. Ireland is five points behind Poland and four behind Germany. The fact that this game has history means I don’t think it will be a boring draw; both will go for it, I’m sure.
Georgia vs. Scotland, Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi (GEO), 17:00
Georgia is a strange team this campaign; they have only scored in two matches but still are a hard nut to crack, as Germany only won by 2-0 in Tbilisi. Ireland recorded a 2-1 victory in the first game of the campaign, so, at home they can disrupt a team’s rhythm. It doesn’t reflect in points, though, as they only have three from a win against Gibraltar. Scotland beat Georgia in Hampden Park with a score line of 1-0, so, Ireland needs the crowd to get behind their team and possibly pinch a draw.
Monday 7th of September
Republic of Ireland vs. Georgia, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (IRL), 19:45
ROI have another must-win match for the second time in nearly as many days. The group will look favourable for the Republic of Ireland after Friday’s fixtures, as long as Germany or Poland win. The Scotland result is a bonus, providing it is not a victory, but this is the round of fixtures where Ireland needs Scotland to definitely drop points. The Republic of Ireland have to be victorious, with Germany playing Scotland and Poland having an uncompetitive fixture against Gibraltar, who they beat 7-0 earlier in group.
Scotland vs. Germany, Hampden Park, Glasgow (SCO), 19:45
The Republic of Ireland needs a Germany triumph here. If Ireland win their two games this weekend, and Scotland lose to the Germans, Ireland will be a minimum of a single point ahead of Scotland. This would mean that Scotland would have to go out and beat both Poland and Gibraltar to guarantee qualification or a play-off for themselves, giving the Republic of Ireland their chance to qualify. On the other hand, a draw at Hampden on Monday would leave ROI needing to beat Poland and Germany, with hopes that Poland would likewise beat Scotland, too, which would almost be mission impossible.
Poland vs. Gibraltar, Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw (POL), 19:45
I foresee Poland winning this game comfortably and with swagger, by scoring 6, 7, or possibly even 8, goals. The Polish will be professional and could guarantee at least a play-off place, with two victories from their games this weekend, depending on whether other results go their way.
The Republic of Ireland have it all to play for, but remain with time to achieve their goal, so to speak. One thing is for sure: everything will be a lot clearer regarding what is necessary after Monday night.
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