Claus can sense a shock

CLAUS JORGENSEN feels the optimism sweeping through the Faroe Islands could lead to a shock for the Republic of Ireland.

The Faroes may have lost 57 of their 71 internationals, and may now be on a run of 15 competitive matches without a victory, but such statistics fail to dampen the enthusiasm of Coventry midfielder Jorgensen.

The fact is, coach Henrik Larsen’s side are growing ever nearer to pulling off a coup which would stun the football world, in much the same way as they beat Austria 1-0 15 years ago, and again when they held Scotland to a 2-2 draw in September 2002.

After 70 minutes of Saturday’s game against Switzerland, the Faroes were staring at another great result.

But then, as Jorgensen concedes, “the excitement got to us” as two Alexander Frei goals ensured there would be no celebrations, and that the Swiss went to the top of Group Four.

Ireland can do likewise with a win tonight in Torshavn, although there are already problems as the pitch is apparently sub-standard.

Even Larsen was yesterday forced to train back in Toftir, an hour away by ferry, such is its poor state and what Jorgensen feels could aid his side.

Jorgensen, who has spent the last six years in English football with Bournemouth, Bradford and now the Sky Blues, said: “It’s another thing the opposition have to come up against when they come to the Faroe Islands.

“So we’re very optimistic, because despite our 3-1 defeat to the Swiss, we had a gameplan that worked and hopefully we can do okay tomorrow.

“When we got the equaliser we realised we were on the brink of an upset, but then we lost concentration.

“I think the excitement got to us and we could sense a major result, but we lasted over 70 minutes in that game, and for us that is really good.”

Bottom of the table with just one point from their six matches so far, the aim of the Faroes is merely to stop one of the bigger nations in their tracks.

Apart from a 6-0 hammering to the Swiss at the start of the campaign, the Faroes are a team who do not suffer heavy defeats, only losing by the odd goal or two in the majority of their matches in the last few years.

“If we get something from any of the bigger teams in this group then it is an upset,” added Jorgensen, given a chance by Micky Adams last season as 14 of his 30 appearances for the Sky Blues in two years came following Adams’ appointment in January.

“We’re not talking about winning because that’s too far away from us. From our point of view, we need to try and see how long we can keep up with the opposition in a game.

“If we can get the first 20 minutes out of the way, and then get to half time and see how teams react, that is our priority.

“But I think this will be the toughest of the two games we’ve had this week, and I’m really looking forward to it as I play my football in England.

“I enjoyed playing against the Swiss, but I know more of these players. I’ve seen them on television, and played against a few of them.

“Maybe that’s why I think it is going to be tougher because I know how good they are.

“But if I start telling my team-mates that then we might start losing our concentration and the game, so I will leave any information on Ireland up to the coaches.”