An absolute must-win!
Ireland are still alive in their World Cup 2026 qualification bid, after coming back from 2-0 to draw 2-2 against Hungary on Saturday.
It was seen as their most important game of the group, with Hungary as their closest rivals, but in truth, it is whatever the next match is.
On Tuesday, Armenia will play host to the Boys in Green at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium (kick-off, 5pm), in what is a must-win against the group’s ‘whipping boys’.
And while Ireland will be relatively pleased with the result on the weekend, and in particular their dominant second-half performance, there were familiar worries, as well as the worst 15 minutes they have played under Heimir Hallgrimsson.
Here are three changes we would make for the upcoming clash.
Bosun Lawal for Josh Cullen
The Stoke City man is still uncapped but has the potential to play a huge role in qualification if given the oppotunity.
For years Ireland have struggled in the middle of the park, and none of the current options have proved that they can put their stamp on a game.
Lawal has been in fine form so far this season, showing off his composure on the ball and passing skills, as well as the ability to play at both centre-back and defensive midfield.
The stakes are too high against Portugal or Hungary to hand Lawal his first cap, and while some may argue he should be eased in against the Armenians, why not start him? The upside far outweighs the risk.
On what Hallgrimsson wants from him, Lawal said: “There are a couple of positions where he said he wants me to play, but it doesn’t really bother me where I play, I have played in most positions in my life, I think I can take different elements from different positions, I am prospering.
“As a centre-half, I think I’m someone that likes to play a lot,” he added, when asked what type of player he is.
“I like to win all my duels, early, on the ground. I like to cover in behind. As a centre midfielder, I’m physical, I can get around. Very good carrying the ball, and I’ve got some goals in me as well.”
Chiedozie Ogbene for Sammie Szmodics
This is absolute no-brainer, and a change you can be sure will happen.
Not only has Szmodics been ruled out of the Armenia game, but Ogbene came back with a bang off the bench against Hungary, after a long lay-off.
Before his ruptured achilles he was seen as Ireland’s best player, and it looks like little has changed.
On dealing with his injury, he said: “Being out for injured for nine months means you see life in a different perspective. I think I’m more focused on the right things in life.
“I was a bit emotional, disappointed, I just didn’t know why. But you get over it. I just switched my mentality. A lot of stuff happened while I was injured – my partner and I had a child, so my perspective on life changed, and I was just dialled in on life.
“The first two weeks was difficult, I always want to know the answer of why things go wrong, but some things you can’t control.
“I was able to have a better bond with my partner, be there for the pregnancy, and that helped me heal.”
Liam Scales for Matt Doherty
Doherty came in for a rake of criticism following Saturday’s match, and was largely to blame for Hungary’s opener, after a poor clearance and putting goalscorer Varga onside.
As a right-footer, his partnership on the left with Ryan Manning failed to pay much dividend.
Celtic’s Scales makes more sense on the left – he has been one of the better performers under Hallgrimsson.
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