Big Match Preview: Georgia v Republic of Ireland
By Ade O'Connor
March 27 2003
Ireland face a number of injury worries ahead of the important Euro Championship qualifying game against Georgia on Saturday. The Irish must win this fixture if they are to stand any chance of participating on the European stage, however the cause has not been helped by the withdrawal of key men.
It seems to be a pattern amongst Irish teams to have copious amounts of injury problems, now Kerr faces the same issues that plagued McCarthy previously. Already possibly starters such as Gary Kelly, Steven Reid, Steve Finnan, Clinton Morrison and Jason McAteer have pulled out.
After a family bereavement, Robbie Keane’s availability for the two fast approaching games is unclear. Ireland manager, Brian Kerr, has refused to speculate on the stars status, but like the whole nation, passes on condolences to the Keane family.
The Republic needs their top line players to be available for two games, which they simply must win. To come away with nothing less than six points from Georgia and Albania would make qualification close to impossible.
Kerr’s men may start as strong favourites for both games, however there is always the potential of a slip-up, as we have seen in Russia and against Switzerland. If nothing else, the Irish must restore the pride built up over a successful World Cup.
The shadow of Roy Keane now no more than a distant memory, no excuses can be made towards a poor performance or players giving anything less than 100%. But there was no danger of this, Kerr is not a man for excuses and the Ireland team are guaranteed to give it their all.
The first fixture in the sequence is a tough away test in Tblisi, where the Irish will face stern opposition in Georgia. Derby midfielder Georgi Kinkladze will be foaming at the mouth in an attempt to conquer players who he faces in opposition in the English leagues.
Georgia must not be underestimated, within their ranks are a lot of passion and much skill, and the Irish cannot afford to be complacent in the face of such talented and underrated opposition. The Republic has lost to poorer teams in the past; no banana skin is acceptable this time around.
An early goal would provide the ideal opening, settling any nerves or worries in the camp, for if Georgia can be exposed early on heads may drop. Ireland’s main goal getters are unlikely to be available though, Clinton Morrison already out with injury, and Robbie Keane uncertain to be involved.
Instead, the focus turns to Damien Duff, a skilful player who has performed so ably for his club side, Blackburn Rovers. Although not a natural out and out striker, Duff certainly has the qualities to get himself into scoring positions, and as of late, to take advantage of these positions.
Perhaps if Duff has not gone off injured so early in the Russia game, Ireland would have stood a better chance of unlocking the defence. That is what Duff specialises in, finding spaces and creating gaps that lesser men cannot, that little extra that others lack.
Damien Duff is better accustomed to cutting in from the left hand side of midfield, and dribbling dangerously into the box. But he is confident that he is equally able to create from a central position, insisting he has no preference as to where he plays on the team.
The Blackburn star could prove to be a key man in the difficult challenges ahead for the Irish, as a unique player that causes havoc amongst the best of defenders.
Brian Kerr has further dilemmas in the left back position. Regular number three Ian Harte has been forced to drop out of the equation due to injury; his uncle, Gary Kelly, also proving unfit to participate, has followed the Leeds player.
These unfortunate circumstances open the door to young Manchester United player, John O`Shea. Though he prefers to ply his trade at centre back, O`Shea has adopted the role on the left on many occasions for the Old Trafford club this season.
Picking O`Shea to start would prove to be a popular move amongst many fans, as the youngster has been receiving plaudits from fellow players, his manager and the press. One thing is for sure, if John O`Shea is chosen to play at left back, he will use it as an opportunity to claim a permanent place in the team.
Other options at left back include Sunderland’s Kevin Kilbane, although Kilbane is more used to playing in midfield, he has filled in at the back before. New Ireland assistant manager Chris Hughton will be sure to pass on tips to Kilbane should his selection be confirmed.
Personally, I would like to see John O`Shea be given the chance to start and finish in an Irish jersey. At no point this season has the young defender looked out of place in United’s superstar packed team, whichever role has been given to him. Surely a future captain for club and country, the confidence shown by O`Shea is quite remarkable.
Brian Kerr will also face a selection headache in midfield, as he may lose the option of playing Damien Duff on the left, along with Steven Reid, Jason McAteer and Stephen McPhail, who are also unavailable. The Ireland boss has called in Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Quinn as to bolster the ranks, ahead of two gruelling fixtures.
The Irish are hit with the news that Millwall’s Steven Reid is not available for the match through injury. Much was expected of the strong and pacey player, who would have had a better than even chance of starting, following a catalogue of injuries. Reid is now touch and go for Wednesday’s fixture against Albania.
Now either Mark Kinsella or Barry Quinn could be asked to fill in on the right side of midfield. Kinsella is more used to playing in the centre of the park, but could well be tried out in this new role, while Quinn’s inexperience may count against him.
Meanwhile, Quinn or Kinsella may find Celtic player Colin Healy to the left of him. Despite not figuring in the Scottish Champion’s first team recently, whenever Healy has been given a chance to play for Ireland he has impressed. The lack of match action may hamper Healy’s cause for a starting role, due to Kerr needing his players to start in top gear.
Should Healy land his dream start, he will have the experienced Ipswich player, Matt Holland, alongside him. Holland may also find himself as captain for the fixture, as Jason McAteer will not figure in the game and Kenny Cunningham is by no means guaranteed a starting berth.
Matt Holland will welcome the chance to get away from the financial troubles at his beloved Ipswich Town, a move looks set to be on the cards for Holland to reduce the clubs financial woes. Holland turned down a number of moves in the summer citing reasons that he would find it impossible to leave his long-term club.
If there were no injury problems in the squad, Brian Kerr would probably favour to start Damien Duff on the left side of midfield, his position for Blackburn. But as it is, Kevin Kilbane should retain his place and get a chance to build on the goal he scored on Kerr’s opener, against Scotland.
Many have had doubts over Kevin Kilbane’s ability to succeed at this high level, but as when the questions reach their peak, the Sunderland player seems able to perform to the best of his ability. Kilbane sometimes appears to one dimensional for the modern day game, with only one mode of beating defenders and getting crosses in.
If ever an Irish winger needed a target man in the penalty area, Gary Doherty is just that. Although perhaps more accustomed to being the lynchpin in defensive, the Tottenham player has shown his worth as a striker with two international goals to date.
With Robbie Keane’s participation in the game uncertain, it will be vital that Ireland get good service into Doherty, so to breach the Georgian defence, which will no doubt be on full alert. Doherty is likely to be partnered by Damien Duff up front. If Ireland has any intention of claiming all three points from this game, it is of utmost importance this temporary partnership bares fruit.
Ireland should be confident about keeping a clean sheet in both encounters, after defeats in the two opening matches, it could all come down to goal difference at the culmination of the group stage.
Shay Given should stay as Ireland’s favoured shot stopper, however Dean Kiely has been in irresistible form for Charlton Athletic as of late. Looking like a colossus between the uprights, Kiely has sometimes single handedly earned Charlton battling points. Brian Kerr may be tempted to give Dean Kiely a start against the so-called lesser teams in the group.
Elsewhere on the pitch, Steve Carr is expected to make his first competitive start in a green shirt for some time, following a series of crippling injuries. His case for the right back position will be strengthened by the withdrawal of Gary Kelly and Steve Finnan.
Kenny Cunningham may be forced to hand over the captain’s arm band to Matt Holland, after only two competitive matches in charge of the side. Cunningham may no longer be seen as the certain starter he used to be under Mick McCarthy’s reign. Matt Holland is very experienced in the role at club level, and is an excellent servant to his country.
Whoever marches into Tblisi with the armband, they can be sure to expect a tough battle in Eastern Europe. Should any complacency creep into Ireland’s game, they will be severely punished.
Ireland (probable):
GK Shay Given Newcastle United
RB Steve Carr Tottenham Hotspur
LB John O`Shea Manchester United
CB Gary Breen West Ham United
CB Kenny Cunningham Birmingham City
RM Barry Quinn Sheffield Wednesday
LM Kevin Kilbane Sunderland
CM Matt Holland Ipswich Town
CM Colin Healy Celtic
ST Gary Doherty Tottenham Hotspur
ST Damien Duff Blackburn Rovers