- Seán O'Connor
- Wed, Jun 02 2021
A June friendly versus 158th ranked Andorra does not sound like a must-win, but for various reasons it feels like it is – as the Republic of Ireland visit the Mediterranean principality state on Thursday evening (kick-off is at 5pm).
ANDORRA
Ireland have faced Andorra four times in competitive fixtures, beating them twice on our way to qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, and twice again ahead of booking their place at Euro 2012.
But Andorra have yet to defeat the Boys in Green in a competitive, and or friendly outing.
Add that to the fact that the Andorrans are winless since 2019, they face a tall order if they are to pile on the misery for Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland.
They have also not won a home friendly since 2002 when they defeated Albania on home soil.
They do however have threats that the Boys in Green will have to be wary of – with striker Cristian Martinez being one of their key men in an attacking sense.
In this current international break, the Andorrans will also face Gibraltar at home on Monday evening.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
A mixture of Covid chaos, injury problems and poor performance mean that Ireland are without a win in 11 games under Stephen Kenny. But Thursday's friendly is an opportunity to get the monkey off the back.
Ireland have been in a training camp in Girona, preparing for the two friendlies, bonding as a squad and analysing past performances.
However, Kenny’s injury list makes for grim reading as Seamus Coleman is ruled out of Thursday while Darren Randolph, Aaron Connolly, and Callum Robinson all pulled out of the camp on Friday.
Ciaran Clark, Jeff Hendrick, Calum O’Dowda, Kevin Long, Robbie Brady, Darren Randolph, Enda Stevens, Alan Browne were all also ruled out of the camp through injury/fitness issues before the squad could be named.
However, one's misfortune can provide others with opportunities to impress.
New recruits Jamie McGrath, Andrew Omobamidele, Chiedoze Ogbene and Danny Mandroiu could all make their debuts on Thursday, while the likes of Josh Cullen, Jayson Molumby, Dara O’Shea and Adam Idah will all be looking to impress Kenny.
“We're trying to do our utmost to qualify for the World Cup,” Kenny said in his pre-match press conference.
“We are disappointed with results, and I am not trying to deflect from that, but what I do think is that over the next couple of years there will be a really strong cohort of players coming through.
“By the next European Championships, a lot of them will have ten or fifteen caps. The Irish public will identify with these players, and when they are successful there will be a powerful connection.
“But we have to start winning matches and take it from there.”
Referee: TBC.
MATCH STATS
The Republic of Ireland last won a friendly outside the country in 2012 against Oman at Fulham’s Craven Cottage – and that was under Giovanni Trappatoni. The Boys in Green have drawn six and lost seven of their last friendly encounters on the road.
The Republic of Ireland’s 12-game winless streak is their worst since 1971 – and Luxembourg (98th ranked) are the second lowest ranked side to ever beat the Boys in Green.
Andorra’s last win came against Moldova in 2019 – a victory that saw them finish second bottom of their group which had France and Turkey in it.
BETTING
Andorra 14/1; Draw 7/1; Republic of Ireland 1/9.
PREDICTION
Andorra 0 - 2 Republic of Ireland
Andorra
Injured: N/A.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: N/A.
Republic of Ireland
Injured: Seamus Coleman, Sam Szmodics.
Doubtful: Chiedozie Ogbene.
Suspended: N/A.
