Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti left Joe Cole and Deco on the bench for the Champions League Group D encounter against Apoel Nicosia.

BULGARIA overcame the absence of star striker Dimitar Berbatov and reignited their hopes of World Cup qualification with a hard-fought win over Cyprus in Sofia to claim their first victory in Group Eight yesterday.

SLOVAKIA have lost two players through suspension for Wednesday’s Group D clash with the Republic of Ireland at Croke Park.

WALES manager John Toshack and his captain Craig Bellamy were delighted to be back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at home to Cyprus.

STEVE STAUNTON’S brave new world crumbled under the weight of abject humiliation as the Republic of Ireland suffered one of the worst defeats in their history.

A FIRST-HALF penalty from Chrysis Michael was the least Cyprus deserved as abject Wales were easily beaten in Limassol last night.

Cyprus 0 Rep. of Ireland 1

Brian Kerr has opted for Graham Kavanagh to partner Kevin Kilbane in midfield as the Republic face a must-win situation in Cyprus tonight.

Switzerland 3 Cyprus 1