PREVIEW | Portugal v Ireland - FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifier
Ireland will be looking to build on the win over Andorra and the draw in Hungary during the summer camp and bring that form into tomorrow's fixture against Portugal, which begins at 7.45pm.
Stephen Kenny's Ireland are currently second bottom of Group A after the defeats against Serbia and Luxembourg in March and will be looking for their first points of the group in this three-match window.
Match Details
Fixture: Portugal v Republic of Ireland
KO Time: 7.45pm
Stadium: Estadio Algarve, Faro
Competition: FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers - European Qualifiers
TV: RTE & Sky Sports
Match Officials
Referee: Matej Jug (SVN)
Assistant 1: Matej Zunic (SVN)
Assistant 2: Robert Vukan (SVN)
Fourth Official: Nejc Kajtazovic (SVN)
Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jure Praprotnik (SVN)
Team News
Bohemians goalkeeper James Talbot replaced Mark Travers in the squad and trained at the Estadio Algarve this evening. All other players in the squad are fit and available for selection.
What he said - Ireland manager Stephen Kenny
“You can’t go to Portugal and defend for 90 minutes and I think we have to go and be positive in our approach.
“Definitely it’s a challenge, there’s no doubt but we’re really looking forward to the week. It’s a great game for the players to play in.
"It’s a real tough challenge, Portugal have some really outstanding players, there’s no doubt about that, but a lot of our players are looking forward to showing what they’ve got.”
What he said - Ireland captain Seamus Coleman
“It’s not a case of ruining any parties or anything like that, because we have to focus on ourselves.
“Everyone in the world knows how important and how amazing Cristiano Ronaldo has been in the last 15 years. It’s incredible really.
“As a group we have to focus on what our plan is tomorrow and how we can stop them from playing. But they have a few players that we have to keep an eye on."
Watch the press conference with Stephen Kenny and Seamus Coleman here...
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), James Talbot (Bohemians)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Attackers: Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Long (Southampton), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth)