Wales vs Ireland, World Cup Qualifer, kick-off 7.45, RTE 2 & Sky Sports

Mr.Nice Guy

It doesn't seem that long ago that we were sitting pretty at the top of the group, hoping that a string of good results would mean we wouldn't find ourselves in the situation of needing to go to Cardiff and get a result.

But it wouldn't be an Irish qualification campaign without us doing things the hard way.

Now we have to go to Cardiff and not just get something but get all three points. Thanks to the Scots only managing a draw in Slovenia, we know that a win will guarantee us at least a play-off spot (possibly automatic qualification if Georgia were to beat Serbia, though that's about as likely as Martin O'Neill greeting Tony O'Donoghue with a warm smile and a big hug).

The good news for Ireland is that Wales' talisman Gareth Bale is missing, but they still boast plenty of threats with the likes of Ramsey, Ledley and Allen, plus a defence that is the meanest in the group.

We will be without Coleman, injured in this game as the players no doubt well remember, and now we are missing Shane Long. But we will have Brady and McClean back involved, and hopefully a very confident Daryl Murphy following his double against Moldova.

Tonight is likely going to be a very painful viewing experience - more so than usual. Wales have conceded just 5 goals in the campaign, while Ireland have conceded 6. And leaving aside the Moldova games, both sides have not scored more than two goals against other opposition. That would seem to suggest we are in for a very close contest, that will likely be decided, if it is at all, by a single goal. Brace yourselves then for a heart-stopping ride.

It will all be worth it though if we can fashion a win. A victory would put a far better gloss on what has been a pretty dismal 2017, with just 2 wins from 8 matches. A loss would mean our wait for another World Cup appearance will go on to be, at the very least, a 20 year wait.

So what do you reckon will be the result? Can we pull off the massive win or will Wales be the Celtic nation celebrating tonight?

I am going to be optimistic and say Ireland will win 2-1 thanks to some set-piece goals.

fryup

just to sample the atmosphere,

here's a link to a live webcam of Cardiff city centre

brilou23

This is the longest day of my life.

fryup

^^^^^^^^^^^^

why? what time did you get up?

wotzgoingon

Come on Ireland!!!

I just heard that alright about Long being injured. I'm a bit disappointed in that actually as he has been having a bad run and I was hoping tonight he would redeem himself with another highly important goal like he done against Germany.

wotzgoingon

fryup wrote: »

^^^^^^^^^^^^

why? what time did you get up?

I didn't get up at all I've been awake for the past 4 weeks.

theteal

I won't get a chance to watch it. Defo a 6 goal thriller on the cards!

TheCitizen

Ireland to win, 2-0 I'm going for

fryup

wotzgoingon wrote: »

I didn't get up at all I've been awake for the past 4 weeks.

you work for the HSE ?

johnnyryan89

66/1 Ireland were last night to go through as group winners, surely worth a euro or two just incase the unthinkable happens.

The heart says 1-0 bagging a trademark early goal and the defence to put in a Richard Dunne in Moscow style defensive performance getting us into the playoffs.

I will say though whoever scores first tonight will win the match, we score first and they'll be forced to attack even more to get the equaliser and be wide open for the counter attack that they'll concede a second goal and vice versa in that if Wales score first I can't see us getting the win.

GLaDOS

0-0

Mint Sauce

Is it a bit premature to play this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjXGgYgYFi0

RIP Bill. We miss ya.

(We can probably ignore the last 90 seconds)

wotzgoingon

Wow, he was young looking there.

And yes I do know it was along time ago.

Rekop dog

Not much talk of him but Ben Davies scares me tonight. He's arguably been the best left back in the premier league so far this year, has a cracking all round game.

pjohnson

Rekop dog wrote: »

Not much talk of him but Ben Davies scares me tonight. He's arguably been the best left back in the premier league so far this year, has a racking all round game.

He plays CB for them

Rekop dog

pjohnson wrote: »

He plays CB for them

They vary their tactics, he didn't last game.

fryup

GLaDOS wrote: »

0-0

and Georgia to beat Serbia, now wouldn't that be a nightmare

pjohnson

wotzgoingon

pjohnson wrote: »

I was just about to post that image as well. I just seen it on bookface.

brilou23

No wes or O Dowda ffs.

pjohnson

brilou23 wrote: »

No wes or O Dowda ffs.

OR Maguire. *gasp*

FixdePitchmark

any word on Wales lads - would anyone see Coleman sticking Woodburn in. I'd say that would cause serious issues for us.

Rekop dog

Looks like a traditional back four for Wales.

Duff

Stomach is doing Riverdance here. Going to be a long hour.

Rekop dog

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

any word on Wales lads - would anyone see Coleman sticking Woodburn in. I'd say that would cause serious issues for us.

Hennessey, Gunter, Williams, Chester, Davies; Allen, Ledley; Ramsey, King, Lawrence; Robson-Kanu

Mr.Nice Guy

The midfield battle will be fascinating. We need Arter to produce a performance like he did in that match away to Austria.

FixdePitchmark

Rekop dog wrote: »

Hennessey, Gunter, Williams, Chester, Davies; Allen, Ledley; Ramsey, King, Lawrence; Robson-Kanu

I think they still have a better team than us without Bale. :eek:

They are at home - we don't have any real goal threat.

We are just a team that pulls out massive performances at times - it is all about who turns up tonight.

Harry Palmr

FixdePitchmark

Hendrick and Brady due another big performance - hopefully the a Euros performance for us when we need it. Italy game.

Rekop dog

Hendrick is overdue a 30 yard cracker for us.

Tonight please Jeff.

Mokuba

Their bench is rubbish compared to ours.

fryup

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I think they still have a better team than us without Bale. :eek:

They are at home - we don't have any real goal threat.

but the pressure is on them at home, everyone in wales expects them to win

Rekop dog

Mokuba wrote: »

Their bench is rubbish compared to ours.

Is it? You're probably just more familiar with our names. They've a premier league starting striker in Vokes on the bench, we don't even have one on the pitch.

Mokuba

Rekop dog wrote: »

Is it? You're probably just more familiar with our names. They've a premier league starting striker in Vokes on the bench, we don't even have one on the pitch.

It definitely is.

Vokes doesn't start for Burnley. Chris Wood has started over him since he has arrived.

wotzgoingon

I'm just back from calling to the local priest. I said 50 hail Mary and 50 our fathers. Got blessed by the priest and soaked in holy water. I have the rosary beads around my hands all day saying hundreds of decades. Hopefully it will be all worth it.





























Above may or may not have happened....

Bounty Hunter

brilou23 wrote: »

This is the longest day of my life.

try waiting up till 2.45am for the kickoff, got the live stream on now, haven't watched Home & Away in years.

Pretty much our strongest available team while still having something to bring on later. Wes to create something or Whelan to steady things if needed most likely.

GLaDOS

I'm actually hoping we dont score an early goal. Weve shown we just stop playing whenever we go ahead.

Rekop dog

Mokuba wrote: »

It definitely is.

Vokes doesn't start for Burnley. Chris Wood has started over him since he has arrived.

I'd trade anyone on our bench for a Woodburn or Ampadu.

Duff

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

try waiting up till 2.45am for the kickoff, got the live stream on now, haven't watched Home & Away in years.

Pretty much our strongest available team while still having something to bring on later. Wes to create something or Whelan to steady things if needed most likely.

What vpn are you using to watch RTE Player? I'm up North and can't get it :rolleyes:

wotzgoingon

GLaDOS wrote: »

I'm actually hoping we dont score an early goal. Weve shown we just stop playing whenever we go ahead.

It is a catch 22 situation alright as in one way we need a early goal but then yes as our recent history shows we always lay back when we go ahead and Wales would be attacking like crazy if they were a goal behind.

What we need is another Robbie Keane to get the vital goal in the closing stages.

wotzgoingon

Duff wrote: »

What vpn are you using to watch RTE Player? I'm up North and can't get it :rolleyes:

Have you no Tv?

I was sure you pick up RTÉ up there.

Duff

wotzgoingon wrote: »

Have you no Tv?

I was sure you pick up RTÉ up there.

Up for work so only have the freeview channels in the hotel

Berserker

Game time is nearly upon us and I can sense the nerves on the thread. I am hoping for a seven goal thriller.

Harry Palmr

Duff wrote: »

Up for work so only have the freeview channels in the hotel

No S4C on it?

Berserker

Harry Palmr wrote: »

No S4C on it?

Just checked Sky and it's on S4C.

Duff wrote: »

Up for work so only have the freeview channels in the hotel

Not try the hotel bar?

Bounty Hunter

pm sent re how im watching it.

Isn't right watching without Dunphy moaning about Wes for the whole build up

wotzgoingon

Duff wrote: »

Up for work so only have the freeview channels in the hotel

There is free VPN's but they are no good. The likes of Tunnel Bear are good but only allow a small amount of data for free which would only roughly cover the first half hour if even. And it is pointless paying their fees if you were only going to just watch the match. It's different if you were to make use of the subscription.

Duff

Got it sorted, lads. Cheers.

brilou23

Did ya just here why wes not starting. Joke

Rekop dog

brilou23 wrote: »

Did ya just here why wes not starting. Joke

That's what he's saying to the media but it's obviously not the actual reason. He'll have known his teams for these games in advance and tonight we need legs in the middle of the park to execute his tactics.

Arghus

Christ on a bike Richie.

I'm as disappointed as anyone that Wes isn't starting, but I'm sick of the panel beating the subject to death.