The Ireland XI that should start our must-win clash with Portugal

A make-or-break seven day stretch.

Portugal away before a home stand against Azerbaijan and Serbia. That is what Stephen Kenny’s Ireland are facing over the next week.

Ireland are fourth in Group A of the Uefa qualifying stage of the 2022 World Cup. Opening losses to Serbia (away) and Luxembourg (home) have Kenny’s men sitting just above Azerbaijan on goal difference.

With Portugal and Serbia on seven points apiece after three games, the qualifying picture is already looking bleak for the Boys in Green. The only (faint) hope of even getting into a playoff picture lies with defeating Portugal or Serbia over the next run of fixtures.

First up, on Wednesday night, are a Portugal side that have Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota and world football’s leading international goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo in their squad. Among stellar others.

As for Ireland, Callum Robinson, Darren Randolph, Robbie Brady and James McCarthy are all out of the picture. You look at the Ireland squad that Kenny has assembled and there are a handful of form players.

Gavin Bazunu has been collecting clean sheets for Portsmouth, Shane Duffy is back in Brighton’s good books, Andrew Omobamidele [pictured with Adam Idah below] continues to impress in his Norwich run-outs and Jayson Molumby may be in a good head-space after securing a loan move from Brighton to West Brom.

And… that’s about it. Daryl Horgan has been lively enough for Wycombe, Troy Parrott has two goals (this season) for MK Dons and Conor Hourihane looks set for a loan move from Aston Villa to Sheffield United.

When it comes to selecting an Ireland XI to go the distance with Portugal, and give themselves even an outside chance of a draw or win, some big calls need to be made.

Kenny has switched between 3-4-3 and 4-3-3 for his senior stint, and he should initially go for a 4-3-3 against the Portuguese. In reality, though, it may often work out as a 4-5-1. Most of our defensive calls are relatively simple, with left-back the only puzzler – we’re going for Ryan Manning over Dara O’Shea.

With Jason Knight also out of the squad, Hourihane gets our backing for centre-midfield, although Harry Arter and Jeff Hendrick will both be pressing for starts. On the wings, we’re going for Horgan on the left and selecting Matt Doherty over someone like Ronan Curtis.

Up front, it is a choice between two players with two international goals to their name. With Kenny not showing much faith in Shane Long to start, we’re going with Parrott over James Collins.

Our Ireland XI

1. Gavin Bazunu

2. Seamus Coleman
3. Ryan Manning
4. John Egan
5. Shane Duffy

6. Josh Cullen
7. Matt Doherty
8. Jayson Molumby
10. Conor Hourihane
11. Daryl Horgan

9. Troy Parrott

That leaves the likes of Arter, Hendrick, O’Shea, Collins, Long, James McClean and Adam Idah on the bench.

Ireland’s game against Portugal, in Faro, kicks off at 7:45pm on Wednesday. That is followed by a Saturday date with Azerbaijan and Serbia coming to the Aviva Stadium, next Tuesday.

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