A year ago, the Republic of Ireland played a ‘winner-takes-all’ match against Wales, in a last chance saloon for World Cup qualification. The performance didn’t matter; it was all about the result and it certainly wasn’t a showing for footballing purists. On the contrary, Ireland stubbornly stifled a Wales side whose creativity far outweighed that of the Irish. But with one chance came one goal, and with one swing of James McClean’s unpredictable right-foot, the Republic clinched a playoff spot.
Fast-forward 12 months, and Ireland’s national team has plummeted to astonishing new lows. A play-off humbling at the hands of tonight’s opponent Denmark left a nation heartbroken, and was followed (ignoring the meaningless friendlies earlier this year) by an embarrassing capitulation in Cardiff five weeks ago against the same opponents they so valiantly beat last October.
September’s 4-1 defeat against Wales in Cardiff left a squad already bereft of top-class quality sore. But at least spirits and morale within the camp were still high off the pitch, right? Wrong. The much-publicised fallout between Cardiff midfielder Harry Arter and assistant manager Roy Keane reeked of a camp in crisis.
Wales defeated Ireland 4-1 in their UEFA Nations League opener (Getty)
Now, with two games in four days in Dublin at the Aviva, it’s very much make-or-break for Martin O’Neill and Ireland.
He dare not lose both of these upcoming Nations League games against Denmark and Wales. He can barely afford to lose one. Currently bottom of Group B4, if relegated, Ireland would almost certainly be in pot three for Euro 2020 qualifying, giving them a much tougher potential route to the finals.
Come June 2020, the Aviva Stadium is playing host to four matches in the finals, as part of a tournament which encompasses 12 European cities. It would be quite the embarrassment if the one time Ireland were hosting tournament games, their national team wasn’t there to play them.
But despite the overwhelmingly gloomy mood in Dublin at the moment, tonight’s game offers a tremendous opportunity for Martin O’Neill’s squad to enact revenge for last year’s playoff loss. More importantly, Ireland do have a genuine shot at getting a result against a side who reached the last 16 at the World Cup in Russia.
Christian Eriksen will miss the match due to a stomach illness (Getty)
The Danes are without their star man Christian Eriksen, a player who was the best player on the park by a mile last November when his sparkling hat-trick turned the tables in Dublin. Eriksen’s absence doesn’t necessarily make Denmark weak. Weaker, but not weak. They still have a host of top-draw professionals, including Kasper Schmeichel, Thomas Delaney and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, but the void left by the Tottenham playmaker’s injury undoubtedly gives Ireland a fighting chance.
And yet, although the result is vital, the manner in which the team plays may just be even more significant. Certainly when it comes to Martin O’Neill and his sidekick Keane’s job security. The pair signed new two-year contracts in January, a show of faith that the FAI may just come to regret if they wish to dispense with their services. On the other hand, it indicates faith by the board in two men who have brought major tournament qualification to Ireland before. It may well be faith which will be curtailed by another slump in demeanour throughout the side in the next week. If all else fails, the duo in charge must keep morale, concentration and work-rate levels high at all times.
Make no mistake, do not underplay the importance of these next two games. Much like October 2017, when Ireland won two ‘must-win’ games, Irish players and staff need to turn up now more than ever. The short-term future of the national team could just depend on it.
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