Euro 2012 Qualification preview: Republic of Ireland v Russia
Russia have had a difficult time of it in international competitions since Guus Hiddink led them to the semi-final of the European Championships four years ago in Austria and Switzerland. After failing
to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, the Russians have hit a roadblock in their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign after losing to Slovakia and now face the top team in the group in the Republic of Ireland this Friday night in Dublin.
Recent form
It's been an entire month since the last round of qualifying matches when the Irish managed a comfortable 3-1 victory at home to Andorra, while Russia were stunned by a 27th-minute strike from Miroslav
Stoch which gave Slovakia an unlikely upset against the Russians in Moscow. Russia also managed a 2-0 victory against Andorra in their other match and sit in third place in the group on three points after two matches. The Republic of Ireland managed a tough
1-0 victory away to Armenia in their opening match, needing a 76th-minute strike from substitute Keith Fahey to secure all three points.
Russia are currently led by another Dutchman in d**k Advocaat, and are hoping that Dutch footballing wisdom can lead them to the Euro Championships for a second straight time. The Republic of Ireland have
not qualified for the tournament since they competed in West Germany in 1988 and went out in the first round.
Players to watch
The Republic of Ireland are led up front by Tottenham Hotspur's Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle, who each scored in Ireland's victory over Andorra. They have some solid players at the back in veterans Kevin
Kilbane, Richard Dunne, and John O'Shea, and are backstopped by Shay Given.
Given, however, has been out of favor at his club Manchester City, who have passed the torch to Joe Hart. Hart initially came into the side after Given hurt his shoulder. At 34 years old, Given doesn't
have the spring he once had but has played in both of Ireland's qualifying matches so far this campaign, and Ireland have conceded only a single goal in the process. Ireland will also be without veteran midfielders Damien Duff and Keith Andrews, both out due
to injury.
Russia manager Advocaat will be without the services of Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and they will have to rely on Stuttgart striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who has both of Russia's goals so
far in qualifying as the main man up front. Russia will also look to their inspirational creative midfield dynamo, Andrei Arshavin, to create offensive opportunities. The Arsenal man has been a bright spot for the Gunners, who have suffered some recent setbacks
in the English Premier League, and has two goals this season in England as well as two in the Champions League.
What to expect
The Russians certainly have more to play for as they and Ireland, along with Slovakia, will compete for the top two spots in the group. Ireland may be top of the group at the moment, but they have a tough
week ahead with two tough matches to prepare for. The Russians, however, should feel confident of a victory against Macedonia on 12 October, and will likely put all of their preparation into this match. The Russians should steal some points and get a 1-1 draw.
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