REP OF IRELAND
Three Reasons to be Cheerful1
They have an excellent pedigree
in major tournament play-offs,
successfully taking that route to
the 2002 World Cup and European
Championships of 2012 and 2016.2
Mick McCarthy has a valiant,
never-say-die bunch. Hence^
the late equalisers in qualifying draws
against Switzerland and Denmark.3
With skipper Seamus Coleman ruled
out with a thigh injury, Wolves’
outstanding right-back Matt Doherty
should more than compensate as a
replacement. His flair for goals could
be Ireland’s not-so secret weapon.Three Fear Factors1
They have been short of attacking
firepower for quite some time and
during qualification they only scored
seven goals in eight fixtures, which is
a poor return in anyone’s book. Shane
Long, who has scored many a vital goal
for the Irish, would be the answer if he
was not so injury prone.2
McCarthy’s visceral unwillingness
to blood youngsters, even though
they have a number of promising
fledgling forwards such as Aaron
Connolly, Michael Obafemi, Troy
Parrott and Adam Idah.3
The financial and structural shambles
that is the FAI and huge net liabilities
of more than €55million point to an
existential crisis. How can the players
not be affected?SLOVAKIA
Three Reasons to be Cheerful1
Much-coveted centre-back Milan
Skriniar and creative midfielder Marek
Hamsik. The latter, now aged 32 and
enjoying one last pay day in China with
Dalian Professional, is not quite the
player he once was, yet he remains
a genuine game changer.2
Dynamic, industrious and tactically
astute, their midfield is a highly
complimentary unit, comprising Hamsik,
solid defensive midfielder Stanislav
Lobotka and box-to-box operative
Juraj Kucka.3
Emerging talent Robert Bozenik, who
recently left MSK Zilina for Dutch
side Feyenoord, looks to have a great
international future. The 24-year-old has
netted four goals in his last five national
team starts.Three Fear Factors1
They have never beaten the Republic
of Ireland and the five head-to-heads
are made up of four draws and a 1-0
defeat in Dublin in 2007. The absence
of injured keeper Martin Dubravka will
not help matters, either.2
Normally Slovak coach Pavel Hapal
goes with a compact 4-3-3 system,
which leaves acres of wide room for
opponents to exploit. This should be
meat and drink to an old-school Irish
side that loves to put in as many crosses
as humanly possible.3
Any home advantage in Bratislava
may be negated by the Slovak
government’s decision to play the
game behind closed doors following
coronavirus cases in the country.Slovakia v Republic of Ireland
EURO 2020 PLAY-OFFS PREVIEW | PATH B
Emerging talent...Robert BozenikThreat...Matt Doherty
(far left) heads home
against Denmark