Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men face a must-win game in Armenia as they look to kickstart their World Cup qualification hopes
After battling back for a hard-earned 2-2 draw at home to Hungary in their World Cup Group F qualification opener, Ireland face a defining date with Armeina.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s tenure looked in serious trouble at 2-0 down in Dublin against Hungary but goals from Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah pulled something out of the fire, at least. Saturday may have been a wake-up call not only for the players, but for their manager.
Armenia are the bottom seeds in Group F, they are bruised from Saturday’s 5-0 thumping at home to Portugal, and earlier this year they conceded five to Kosovo and six to Georgia.
However, the memories of a 1-0 defeat for Stephen Kenny’s Ireland in Yerevan in June 2022 are still fresh in the minds.
Then there is the heat, with temperatures in their 30s, the almost seven-hour flight when today’s hosts had no travelling between games, and Ireland’s second-game syndrome.
Hallgrímsson added that his focus would be firmly on his players, rather than on whether Armenia might be feeling a little brittle after Saturday’s hammering.
“That’s the main thing now, we focus on us coming back. I heard something about… it was a long time since Ireland came back from a two-goal down,” he said.
“How Armenia will recover from losing their first game with a new coach, I think it’s probably expected, playing against Portugal, everybody thinks they’re runaway favourites in this group, but let’s see.
“If we are clever we just focus on us, not thinking about what they will do or how they feel. We need to be ready and we know that.”
Here is everything you need to know about the game
When is the game?
The game takes place at 5pm on Tuesday, September 9th.
Where is the game?
The World Cup qualifier takes place in the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia.
Is the game on TV?
The game will be shown live on RTE from 4.30pm. Kick off is at 5pm Irish time.
Viewers in NI can watch the match on Amazon Prime Video via pay-per-view.
is the game being streamed?
Yes, the game will be streamed on the RTE Player.
What are the bookies saying:
Ireland 5/6
Armenia 3/1
Draw 23/10
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