Rep. of Ireland -v- Russia

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Oct 08 2010


After two welcome wins in their opening two Euro 2012 qualifying games the Republic of Ireland face Russia at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night in what represents the first major challenge to Giovanni Trapattoni’s campaign to bring his side to their first major finals since the 2002 World Cup. (Kick-off, 7.45pm)

While Ireland’s 3-1 win at home to Andorra was no less than was expected, and the 1-0 win against Armenia in Yerevan yielded a valuable three points, it is the arrival of Dick Advocaat’s Russian team that signals the beginning of Ireland’s serious business in Group B.

It is a game that will have major ramifications for both nations and one that is of particular importance to the visitors following their surprise defeat to Slovakia in Moscow last month. There has been talk that defeat against the Irish would all but end Russia’s interest in the Group and while this is recklessly premature there is no doubt that such an outcome would make it extremely difficult for the Russians to proceed automatically to the finals as group winners.

In plotting a route to the Finals Irish fans are now faced with the possibility that Slovakia may present a more formidable task than previously thought, a notion that will be put to the test next Tuesday when Trapattoni’s men travel to Žilina. The ‘who might beat who’ merry- go-round is never easy this early on but what initially looked like a gift from the Gods may yet turn out to something of a Trojan Horse.

Whatever the logistics of the fixtures that lie ahead, Russia’s 1-0 reverse against the Slovaks has buoyed Irish spirits. It offers the hope that Advocaat’s men are less imposing opponents than history and tradition may have led us to believe and while nobody will be counting their chickens there is an undeniable optimism surrounding this game.

Giovanni Trapattoni has announced an unchanged team for the third game in succession and while the Italian’s conservatism can cause some frustration among the Irish faithful there is also a recognition that the organisation which ‘The Trap’ has brought to the Irish team is something that even the best teams find difficult to cope with.

In terms of team selection the news of Richard Dunne’s fitness has been of immense value and while the absence of both Damien Duff and Keith Andrews from midfield are undeniable blows, Trapattoni’s determination to stick with his beliefs mean that Aiden McGeady and Paul Green are trusted, and increasingly more experienced, deputies.

But Russia are a side oozing with quality. It may be true that “Arshavin should have had a hatrick by now” is one of the more frequently heard phrases at the Emirates this season but the Arsenal player has the guile and imagination to open the tightest of defences.

The Irish back line has shown a tendency to switch off defensively, a weakness which was recoverable against Andorra but not against Italy at Croke Park. Should they do so again on Friday it is not only Arshavin who will be queueing up to take advantage.

Pavel Pogrebnyak played alongside Arshavin at Zenit St Petersburg and has proven himself a clinical goal-scorer both at club and international level. If the Arsenal creative midfielder may lack something in goal-scoring ruthlessness, it is more than made up for by his compatriot. They are are combination worthy of the highest respect.

Indeed the sense of the Russian’s being a coherent unit is heightened by the fact that thirteen of Advocaat’s squad come from two of Russia’s top sides, Zenit Saint Petersburg and CSKA Moscow. And, as in the case of Arshevin and Pogrebnyak (who now plays at Stuttgart) most of the squad that don’t play for them, used to.

Apart from the surprise absence of Roman Pavlyuchenko Advocaat has one other injury concern with doubts over the fitness of striker Vladimir Bystrov. But these fears will be allayed by the fact that he sometimes chooses Alan Dzagoev in the same position anyway.

All in all the Russia team that will walk out against Ireland at a quarter to eight on Friday night are not one to be dismissed. Ireland have many reasons to be confident but it will take all of Trapattoni’s experience and every ounce of the players energy and desire to continue their winning run.



Republic of Ireland
Injured: Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Stephen Hunt.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Russia
Injured: Pavlyuchenko.
Doubtful: Bystrov.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Kevin Blom (NED).

Extratime prediction: A 1-0 win for Advocaat’s Russia.