Key battle for Ireland tomorrow

For the Republic of Ireland, almost two years of planning, preparation and playing will come down to just 90 minutes at the venue for the World Cup final.

The 72,000-capacity International Stadium Yokohama is the setting for Ireland’s bid for a place in the knockout stages for the third time in three tournaments.

On paper, it is hard to see anything other than a Republic victory against a Saudi Arabia squad without a point or a goal to their credit in Group E.

A clear two-goal victory will guarantee Ireland’s place in the last 16, although in their previous 11 World Cup games they have so far failed to score more than one goal.

Here are the key match-ups which will determine whether Mick McCarthy’s squad can achieve their goal, or whether they will be joining the Saudis on an early plane home.

Gary Breen v Al Hasan Al Yami

Sitting in the biggest footballing shop window in the world, it will be a major surprise if Gary Breen does not secure his future at club level after this tournament.

Breen chose to reject Coventry’s offer of a new contract at the end of last season and so entered the World Cup officially ’unattached’, but his performances so far have suggested that is unlikely to remain the case for long.

While all the attention for the game against Germany was focused on Steve Staunton winning his landmark 100th cap, Breen quietly went about his business and turned in arguably his best performance at international level.

Breen could now be in for one of his quietest nights as the Saudis, who only play one up front, are without their two first-choice strikers in Sami Al Jaber and Obaid Al Dosari.

Al Hasan Al Yami replaced Al Dosari early in the 1-0 defeat to Cameroon and looked lively as he carved out two chances for himself, although rightly earned a booking in a theatrical attempt to win a penalty.

Mark Kinsella v Nawaf Al Temyat

Charlton midfielder Mark Kinsella has proved himself admirably since stepping into the side in the absence of Roy Keane, to such an extent Ireland have hardly missed their now disgraced captain.

McCarthy has been delighted with the way Kinsella and Ipswich’s Matt Holland have formed a solid partnership at the heart of the side, proving particularly effective against the Germans.

With no Al Jaber, attacking midfielder Al Temyat is the Saudi playmaker and the one his team-mates turn to for inspiration, as was the case against Cameroon.

Asia’s 2000 Player of the Year ran the show for Saudi Arabia, his pace and skill causing the Indomitable Lions problems, and but for his lack of finishing then the Africans could have been on the losing end.

Robbie Keane v Mohammed Al Deayea

Hard to keep the name Keane out of the headlines, but at least the latest banners were for all the right reasons when Robbie scored the stunning injury-time equaliser against Germany which kept Ireland’s hopes alive.

The Leeds striker’s 11th goal in 36 internationals proved just reward for his enterprising performances in the tournament to date, beating arguably the world’s best goalkeeper in Oliver Kahn in off his left-hand post.

The pace of Keane should be too much for an often static Saudi defence, and then he faces Mohammed Al Deayea, rated as Asia’s best keeper and with a remarkable 164 caps to his credit.

Despite conceding eight goals against Germany in the opening game debacle, Al Deayea was then handed the captain’s armband in Al Jaber’s absence and at least looked more solid against Cameroon.