Big Match Preview: Republic of Ireland v Albania

By Ade O`Connor
June 6 2003

Saturday sees a very important game for the Republic of Ireland, the latest in their series to attempt to qualify for Euro 2004. Once again, this game has been dubbed; as ‘must win’ should Ireland wish to stand a chance of reaching the finals in Portugal. Albania stands in the Republic’s way.

The Ireland manager faces some interesting selection dilemmas ahead of this important match, with Steven Reid, Gary Doherty and David Connolly all jostling for position in the starting eleven.

Shay Given has come through training successfully and looks set to win his 51st cap for his country, and now appears to be unhindered by the calf injury that troubled him earlier in the week.

Though there is little chance of Irish league striker Glen Crowe making his competitive debut, injury hampers his cause. However, Crowe will look to Wednesday night’s fixture against Georgia as a comeback game.

Kenny Cunningham will continue as captain in the centre of defence, with Manchester United starlet John O`Shea partnering him in the middle. O`Shea has been in scintillating form all season, and will await his first competitive start with baited breath.

The pair will need to deal withal the problems that huge Albanian forward Tare brings with him.

Steve Finnan is unable to participate, allowing Steve Carr of Tottenham to play on the right of defence, while Ian Harte’s free kicks and penetrating diagonal forward balls keep him in the team.

Harte’s position in the team has been widely questioned in the media, criticising his ability to defend on the left hand side. Kerr will keep faith in the Leeds United player, as other than moving John O`Shea from centre back, there is no obvious replacement.

Kerr could also keep faith with the new system piloted in the friendly versus Norway, in which a three-man midfield outfit saw Damien Duff advance to a role behind the front two strikers. The system worked very well, Duff exploiting his newfound freedom.

Expect the Ireland supremo to use the formation to unlock a resilient Albanian side.

Millwall midfielder Steven Reid made a late bid for a starting berth, scoring a goal against the under 21s in midweek, as the seniors won 3-1. But he may have to be satisfied with a place on the bench.

Matt Holland should play the holding role in the centre of the park, in the midst of his well-documented £1m move from Ipswich Town to Portsmouth.

Kevin Kilbane and Mark Kinsella may start either side of the anchor, keeping Reid out of the fold for now.

Much mystery is over who will partner Robbie Keane in the front pairing. Gary Doherty of Tottenham has proven a successful foil for any strike partner, with his impressive strength and abilities in the air.

While David Connolly’s goal scoring exploits for Wimbledon cannot be ignored. This form of pinch-hitting forward play should not go unconsidered in what promises to be a tricky game.

Enough of the formalities, will the Republic of Ireland defeat Albania?

At the risk of having serious egg on face after the game, I will say yes. However, it will be anything but a walkover. Albania has proven on a couple of occasions now that they can and will put up a fight. They are here to qualify too, you know.

When Ireland travelled to Tirana, a draw was about a fair result. Maybe even more than a fair result, as Albania tested the exceptional Shay Given on numerous occasions, only to be met with a goalkeeper on top form, or an upright piece of woodwork.

It may well be a different story at Lansdowne Road though, Albania will most likely come and sit on the 18-yard-box and invite Kerr’s men to attack them. In the past the Irish have found this difficult to do, so an early goal could be key.

Kerr has brought a different attitude to the team I do feel, there is a belief that as a unit they can score goals and good goals at that. Brian Kerr is a football man, through and through; he likes it to be played the right way.

The boss is in no way naïve either, in the past, Irish sides have come up against this sort of challenge and just hit aimless balls forward into the front men. Do not expect tomorrow’s team to do this. Ireland will go in with a game plan and stick to it.

Importantly, the service must be good to the strikers. Too often have the Republic left the likes of Robbie and Duff to fend for themselves, foraging for the odd half chance in a crowded penalty area.

Expect Damien Duff to be absolutely vital on Saturday, Ireland will get the ball to him and the space he is provided with in front of the box will hopefully provide an excellent showground for his tricks and turns.

Support will be needed from the midfield as well, this may be what tempts Kerr to start with Reid rather than Kinsella The Aston Villa midfielder is a great servant to his country, no question, but Reid is a more rounded footballer.

What counts against Reid is his lack of fitness, as he suffered with injuries in the latter part of the season. Though he may be worth gambling with from the start and assessing his role at half time, be the team two up and clear, or still level or worse, behind, take him off and give the team fresh ideas.

Holland should just hold the middle of the park and sit in front of the defence, now that Roy Keane is completely out of the picture; this is what Holland must offer Ireland. Allowing the other midfielders to advance forward and support the strikers.

Gary Doherty may well get the start alongside Robbie Keane tomorrow, simply because he is the man in possession. No doubt that he can take any roughage that Albania wish to throw at him, and win free kicks in ‘Ian Harte territory’.

As a temporary measure, he is about the best foil we have for Robbie, who should be the focal point of attacking moves. A big, strong lad who can win balls in the air all day long and take the hits.

Connolly should not be downhearted should he not play though. This season the Wimbledon forward has proven a lot to fans such as you and I. Division One may not be the top league, but it takes ability to hit the back of the net.

David was given plenty of chances under McCarthy, and I for one admit that I never really believed he had a hope. This summer Connolly will probably leave the Milton Keynes team, after the announcement that they were to opt into administration.

John O`Shea’s role in tomorrow’s side will also be of interest, does Kerr deploy him in the middle of defence where the player sees his future lying? I think so.

However, very much hypothetically speaking, if Ireland manages to steal a march on the Albanians, how about sticking the United youngster in the middle of the park and seeing how he fares?

Of course, the important thing is to get the three points, no matter how they come. If Ireland can pick up the maximum amount over the games against Albania and Georgia, then we can start thinking about Russia and Switzerland, as the group hits a climax.

Should it come down to that, a victory against Russia or Switzerland should see Ireland into a play off position, but with a little luck, who knows?

Incidentally, Russia travel to Switzerland later in the evening, in the top of the group clash; Russia does not travel well and Switzerland must be heavy favourites going into the game. Ideally, a draw would be a magic result for Ireland.

Should the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland both be victorious on Saturday, Ireland will be in 2nd position. Not a bad placing, considering the sort of start to the group the green men had.

Let’s just get the three points, no hassle tomorrow, how about it lads?