Republic of Ireland - Cyprus
The Trapattoni effect seems to be taking hold: four points from Ireland's first two games on the road is no more then he could have asked for. The Irish looked a far more organised and concentrated team then they were in their previous campaign. And they’ll be looking to avenge the nightmares of a 5-2 defeat and a 1-1 home draw that they achieved in Euro 2008 qualifiers with the Cypriots last time out.
Cyprus are perhaps unlucky to only have one point from their opening games. Last month they lost 2-1 to Italy, Antonio Di Natale scoring an injury time goal to put an end to a memorable night for them. And last Saturday they drew 1-1 with Georgia, missing a penalty in that game.Republic of Ireland currently lie second in the group, three points behind leaders Italy with a game in hand.
Cyprus lie just above Georgia who are last. Bulgaria and Montenegro are third and fourth respectively
Republic of Ireland
There is some good news for Giovanni Trapattoni before this game. Damien Duff is fit and available for selection after missing Ireland’s first two games last month through injury. That’ll mean that Stephen Hunt is likely to lose out as Aiden McGeady joins Duff on the wings.But there has been some vital casualties for Ireland. Steve Finnan and Stephen Kelly are both out which leaves Trapattoni having to reshuffle the defence possibly losing John O’Shea in the centre.Central midfielder Steven Reid is out with a knee injury and so Liam Miller looks set to join Glenn Whelan in the middle.But it is full strength in attack with Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle set to lead the line again.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Newcastle United), Dean Kiely (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United).
Defenders: Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), Damien Delaney (Queens Park Rangers), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletic), Joey O’Brien (Bolton Wanderers), John O’Shea (Manchester United), Paul McShane (Hull City).
Midfield: Stephen Hunt (Reading), Aiden McGeady (Glasgow Celtic), Damien Duff (Newcastle United), Liam Miller (Sunderland), Andy Reid (Sunderland), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City).
Forwards: Kevin Doyle (Reading), Robbie Keane (Liverpool), Andy Keogh (Wolves), Shane Long (Reading), Daryl Murphy (Sunderland).
Cyprus
Georgos Theodotou, Marinos Satsias and Alekos Alekou have been dropped. Otherwise Cyprus have a full squad to select from
Squad
Goalkeepers: Michalis Morfis (APOEL), Antonis Georgallides (Omonia Nicosia), Sofronis Avgousti (Apollon Limassol).
Defenders: Stelios Okkarides (Apollon Limassol), Andreas Constantinou (Anorthosis), Lambros Lambrou (Anorthosis), Demetris Daskalakis (AEK Larnaca), Marios Elia (APOEL), Parakevas Christou (APOEL), Elias Charalambous (Omonia Nicosia).
Midfielders: Marios Nicolaou (Panionios), Christos Marangos (Apollon Limassol), Constantinos Makrides (Metalurh Donetsk), Constantinos Charalambides (APOEL), Chrysis Michael (APOEL), Alexandros Garpozis (Apollon Limassol), Efstathios Aloneftis (Omonia Nicosia), Kyriacos Pavlou (Omonia Nicosia).
Forwards: Dimitris Christofi (Omonia Nicosia), Yiasoumis Yiasoumi (Ethnikos Achnas), Michalis Konstantinou (Iraklis), Ioannis Okkas (Omonia Nicosia) source "goal"
Ok..my opinion is that this is a hard match to predict. Cyprus could have easily won in Georgia but they were unlucky. Ireland has a great chance of qualifing for the World Championships 2010 South Africa but it's very inconsistant. I think this will end 2-1 for Ireland but i will probably bet on this live.
Ok..my opinion is that this is a hard match to predict. Cyprus could have easily won in Georgia but they were unlucky. Ireland has a great chance of qualifing for the World Championships 2010 South Africa but it's very inconsistant. I think this will end 2-1 for Ireland but i will probably bet on this live.
posted by Midnight Sun @ 22:36,
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