World Cup hopes depend on perfect performance

"Seo libh canaig' amhrán na bhFiann…"

As the final bars of the national anthem reverberate throughout a thronged Aviva Stadium ahead of kick-off tonight, Ireland will know exactly what is needed to remain in the World Cup conversation.

And by the time the final whistle blows in Lansdowne Road, Heimir Hallgrimsson's side will be fully informed as to whether there is something left to play for in Budapest on Sunday.

It’s a race to be runner-up in Group F, and with it a coveted place in the World Cup play-offs in March, with Hungary currently occupying second place, and Ireland and Armenia third and fourth respectively.

Hungary are in Yerevan (kick-off 5pm) and are fully expected to take the three points that will maintain their stranglehold on the play-off position, and should they win by two or more, the onus on Ireland will be to go out and beat Portugal (Live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm).

A whole range of permutations still exist, with the extremes being Armenia moving into second by gaining another unlikely victory, or Hungary pushing Portugal for the automatic place should Ireland beat Roberto Martinez’s side.

But the most pertinent one comes down to basic maths; should Hungary win and Ireland lose, it’s all over – the 23-year wait for World Cup qualification will move into the next cycle towards the 2030 tournament.

Such a scenario would place Sunday’s away day in Hungary firmly into the dead-rubber category, while also ramping up the pressure on the manager’s tenure.

But fear not, because the Ireland camp is, once again, brimming with confidence that something special is about to unfold for the national team, buoyed by a disciplined and well-organised performance in defeat in Portugal, and backed up by a victory over Armenia in Dublin.

"My feeling from inside the group is positivity, the players are positive, and we know we can get results," said Hallgrimsson, speaking at the pre-match press conference.

The manager is convinced that opportunities will present themselves for his side against a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal unit, filled with European football’s elite, and while he is taking confidence from the defensive display in Lisbon, there is also a sense that he feels his side failed to take opportunities to hurt the hosts in that fixture.

Hallgrimsson’s claim is backed up by the fact that Portugal conceded four goals in two games against Hungary, most notably missing out on automatic qualification in the final moments of their last game.

"We've looked at those goals. And they all tell the same story," said Hallgrimsson. "So you go and analyse,"

Truth be told, it does not take a genius to work out where Hallgrimsson sees the weaknesses to exploit in this Portugal side, as all four goals came from balls into the box, while the high line that they employ also leaves areas to attack via quick counterattacks, or in transition, to use some en-vogue coaching parlance.

Ireland did try to work those channels in Lisbon but, despite getting forward, they lacked the requisite creativity and composure to threaten inside the final third.

When Ireland eventually go hunting at home, it does not take long for momentum to build, as was witnessed in the two Lansdowne Road games so far – albeit against ten men on both occasions – and by attacking either flank, Hallgrimsson’s side will attempt to, once again, pepper the penalty area.

But first they will have to subdue this incredible Portugal outfit who will, most likely, deliver a masterclass of possession football, working the ball wide at will in order to stretch defensive set-ups before moving back along the edge of the box looking for those gaps to open up.

Ronaldo’s movement once the ball arrives into such spaces remains a joy to observe as the talismanic forward has a penchant for dropping deep and then racing goalwards, demanding deliveries, and attacking accordingly.

It is mesmerising to observe, so it must be hellish to contain, with concentration levels tested to the maximum with every foray forward.

Ireland just cannot afford to go all-in during a game against such opposition, as admitted by the manager ahead of the game, and will most likely look to rely on those quick counters while really focusing on set-play precision.

The first objective will be to make it uncomfortable for the visitors, so the colder and wetter the better with a hostile crowd, ideally packed long before kick-off – some hope! – letting Portugal know that they are in for a battle.

The players cannot afford to be too rash, however, and will just need to be relentless in the right areas to put pressure on the ball and drive Portugal backwards.

Portugal can expect a wall of seven to guard the penalty box with three central defenders, two wing-backs sitting in, complete with a double number six combination sitting in front when out of possession.

Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea and Jake O’Brien fit this system perfectly and with stalwart Seamus Coleman barking instructions and encouragement from the right side, Ireland should be difficult to get through.

The left-sided wingback position is up for grabs, and while Hallgrimsson brought Kevin O’Toole in to try out for that role, the first 45-60 minutes is no place for a newbie.

Liam Scales has played there regularly throughout his career and will provide added steel to the formation and will not hesitate to make his presence felt.

That entire defensive line-up brings strength and experience to the team and would bring a huge aerial threat in the opposition box for corners, free-kicks and long throws, provided Ireland can work the ball forward.

Josh Cullen returns in the six role and while Conor Coventry is made for the position, again it might be a bit much to ask him to come in and hit the ground running.

The manager may also need a player with a forward thinking mentality to play a dual role in and out of possession, and Jack Taylor looks about the best equipped to cover and then join in the odd push forward.

Ireland’s energy should then be provided once more out wide with Chiedozie Ogbene and Festy Ebosele primed to race into that space behind the high Portugal line.

That just leaves room for one striker in the set-up and while Troy Parrott is the player most likely to create something from scraps up front, Hallgrimsson must be tempted to maintain the energetic and powerful theme and ask Adam Idah to tear about the place for 60-odd minutes.

And by that stage, if Ireland are still in the contest, it will be time to take those calculated risks, with the likes of Finn Azaz, Mikey Johnston, and Parrott likely to be introduced.

A grandstand finish would be apt for such a high-profile encounter, and while Portugal will most likely remain on course for next summer’s showpiece, Ireland will just be hoping that the trip to the banks of the Danube will include something to play for.

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