Duff and Co to lay ghost of Basel for revamped Ireland

THE dynamic Damien Duff yesterday cheered Irish spirits ahead of tonight’s critical World Cup tie by taking a full part in training and declaring himself fit to play against Switzerland in a game that has major undertones for both teams.

Duff’s availability, the emergence of the exciting Andy Reid and the presence of the hugely-experienced Roy Keane mean that Ireland are infinitely better placed than they were 12 months ago to score the win they need to head group four of the qualifying tournament.

By any reckoning Ireland’s prospects are so much better now than they were on that dismal night when they departed that European Championship series with a whimper.

They played poorly and lost 2-0 but much has changed since then. Manager Brian Kerr has a much more balanced, and much more capable, squad with which to devise his game plan. Above all, Ireland go into the game in ebullient mood after some expansive football against Cyprus on Saturday.

The news from the Swiss training base was not so positive. Their abrasive striker, Alexander Frei, is unavailable because of suspension and manager Kobi Kuhn is likely to have to operate also without their talented left-winger, Raphaen Wicky. Wicky, who caused Ireland many problems last time out, has a calf muscle injury.

Injuries have also, of course, robbed Kerr of John O’Shea and Matt Holland, who were virtually certain to start, and Liam Miller, who was a live candidate for inclusion, but still there are solid grounds for Irish optimism.

The Swiss can take encouragement from their two wins over Ireland in the European Championship but their participation in the finals in Portugal was not of particular value to them.

I saw them play poorly against a subdued France in June when they lost 1-3 in Coimbra and they also lost 0-3 to England and drew 0-0 with Croatia in the European finals.

They played a scoreless friendly with Northern Ireland in Zurich last month.

They balanced that somewhat by hammering six goals past the Faroes team on Saturday in their opening match in this World Cup.

They also have introduced a bright new talent up front in Johan Vonlanthen, but the indications are that Ireland have made more significant advances since their last encounter.

Certainly Kerr believes that.

He reviewed the development of the team in his 18 months and said: “We had six competitive games in the European Championship, and we lost one. We’ve had lots of friendlies so there’s been a lot of good changes in the team. I think the team has progressed. We’ve now got more competition in almost every area of the pitch.”

That theme was echoed by Kevin Kilbane, a player who has finally won over a doubting public after 55 internationals since his debut in 1997.

Kilbane, whose strength in the air, athleticism and competitive attitude, make him a formidable opponent for any team, spoke with conviction about Ireland’s prospects.

“We believe in the experience we have got in this team and the belief we’ve got in each other that we can do very well. We feel as though now we’re coming together but we’ve got young players with lots of experience like Robbie Keane, who is 24 and Damien Duff, who is 25, and they each have about 50 caps.

“So we’ve got youthfulness and experience and that’s what we’re looking to build together. Hopefully in this campaign there’ll be a lot of players who will come of age.”

Kilbane then identified the precocious Andy Reid as an additional reason for Ireland to approach this game positively: “Since he has come into the squad he has impressed me hugely. He’s got a wonderful left foot and he’s got an impressive all-round game, he works back to help his defence and I honestly believe he can go on to become a major player.”

Reid was a sensation at Lansdowne as Ireland whipped Cyprus 3-0. If he can turn on the style again then it is certain that Switzerland will be unable to dominate as they did 12 months ago.

Were Duff to repeat his performance from Saturday and Robbie Keane to recover his best form, then it is certain Ireland will create and take more than one scoring opportunity.

That conclusion brings us to the important issue of team selection and here Kerr said he had a problem.

The return of Roy Keane means he will make a change in central midfield and the withdrawal of John O’Shea because of injury leaves a gap to be filled at left-back.

The likelihood is that Kerr will leave out Graham Kavanagh to accommodate Keane despite Kavanagh’s excellent performance against Cyprus. He has to choose between the inexperienced Alan Maybury (9 caps) and Steve Finnan (30 caps) to fill the left-back position.

Kerr must start planning on the basis that Ireland must maintain security in defence.

Kenny Cunningham was kept out of the game here last year by suspension and he was a major loss. His availability now and Keane’s return to central midfield should ensure that Switzerland will only threaten from set-pieces.

They are a physical team who will pose a danger when they can send their big defenders forward. Ireland must plan carefully for that because they are not a particularly tall team.

Northern Ireland manager, Lawrie Sanchez, offered this evaluation yesterday of the Swiss after the scoreless friendly of last month: “They are very average to be fair. They are a big team and Hakan Yakin can do a big amount of damage if you give them time, but I was not impressed by them.”

The 18-year-old Vonlanthen, who became the youngest player in history to score in the European Championship finals when he struck against France, will trouble Ireland, but in the belief that Keane will ensure that Ireland are secure defensively, Ireland’s greater firepower offers real encouragement and the prospects of a fabulous start to the tournament.

The teams are expected to line out as follows:

IRELAND: Given; Carr, O’Brien, Cunningham, Finnan; Reid, Roy Keane, Kilbane, Duff; Morrison, Robbie Keane.

SWITZERLAND: Zuberbuhler; Haas, Muller, Murat Yakin, Magnin; Huggel, Vogel, Hakan Yakin, Cabanas; Rey, Vonlanthen.