Win or beat for Ireland’s U21 year olds when Sweden comes to town
Uefa European U-21 qualifiers: Ireland against Sweden, Tuesday 16 November, Tallaght Stadium, kick-off 19.00 (live on RTÉ).
“It’s a win or a bust. We have to. There are no two ways to do it,” said Ireland’s under-21 boss Jim Crawford after suffering a defeat to Italy on Friday.
Ireland are now seven points behind Sweden, who come to Tallaght on Tuesday night with the knowledge that a draw will make Boys in Green a huge task to take one of the two best positions in their group.
The Swedes have played one match more than Ireland, played six, won four and only two draws. A 6-0 hammering of Luxembourg and a point earned in Italy have been the highlights of a good qualifying campaign so far.
Manchester United’s young Anthony Elanga will be the one Ireland must watch out for. The 19-year-old has made two league appearances for United and made the winner against Wolves on the final day of last season.
Crawford is aware of the Swedish talent. “He (Elanga) is playing next to the left and is fast. I’m sure he starts on Tuesday, so we have to find a way to keep him quiet. He’s a big threat.”
Sweden defeated Bosnia & Herzegovina 4-0 and arrive in Dublin in the hope of keeping up the pressure on second-placed Italy.
Ireland had a hard time keeping the ball in the last third, something that must be improved to get a positive result against Sweden.
“When we get to the top of the field, we can be more clinical,” Crawford lamented.
Gavin Kilkenny and Conor Coventry occupied the double pivot in midfield last Friday and are expected to do so again on Tuesday. Captain Coventry knows there can be no more mistakes.
“We have to try to win them all. We are well capable of that, and we will go into it and believe that we can. I think with a little more confidence on Tuesday, a little more faith in what we do and conviction we can “They still have faith in the group and hopefully we can get back on track,” said Coventry.
Bohemian’s duo Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy impressed after coming to Italy and hope they have done enough to get into the starting eleven.
Lee O’Connor suffered a minor blow on Friday, and another Bohs player, Andy Lyons, was able to replace him.
Crawford have selected three different strikers in the last three games, with Colm Whelan, JJ Kayode and Evan Ferguson all nodding. Rotherham striker Kayode could get the role once again as Ireland look to secure a much-needed three points.
Ireland (possible): Maher; O’Connor, O’Brien, McGuinness, Bagan; Coventry, Kilkenny; Ebosele, Smallbone, Wright; Kayode
Sweden (possible): Brolin; A. Hussein, Ousou, Vagi ?, Svensson; B. Hussein, Gustafsson; Elanga, Hajal, Wålemark; Sarr
Judge: Peter Kralovic (Slovakia)