Slovakia ‘a must-win game’

RIGHT from the very start of European Championship qualifying, Ireland’s game against Russia in Moscow on September 6 was seen as the big one in the group.

But, with three nations now sharing top spot, it could yet be the game in Dublin against Slovakia four days earlier which ultimately proves crucial to Irish hopes of qualifying for the finals in Poland and the Ukraine next summer.

A home victory in that game would mean Ireland would be odds-on to secure, at worst, a play-off place. Indeed, that considerable consolation prize would still be in their grasp even if they lost in Moscow, since two more wins in their final two games – away to Andorra and at home to Armenia – would mean that, with Ireland having the better of the head-to-head results, the Slovaks would be unable to overtake Trapattoni’s men.

For that reason and because every point counts now with just four games to go, Sean St Ledger doesn’t shy away from calling tomorrow week’s meeting with Slovakia at the Aviva, “a must-win game”.

The centre-half draws confidence from the 1-1 draw in Zilina last year, on a night when he scored Ireland’s goal and, but for a Robbie Keane missed penalty, the visitors would have taken all three points.

“We played very well that night and could easily have won the game. We had the better chances. I think their main striker (Robert) Vittek was missing so if he comes back he’s a good player and we’ll have to be on our toes. Hopefully the fans will get behind us too because they always play a major part.

“I know it’s a cliché, but they do act like a 12th man and they do drive you forward. So hopefully they’ll come out and support us and we’ll try to pay them back.”

St Ledger is also confident about Irish chances in Moscow, despite the fact the Russians won 3-2 in Dublin last year.

“Here, we did not play very well against them but when we did score we were the ones that, had we played for another five or 10 minutes, it looked like we would have equalised.

The Russian press said that it had been the best that Russia had played in a number of years. And, after the game, John O’Shea compared it to a Champions League match in how well they played and moved the ball.

“Yes it will be an intimidating atmosphere out there but there is a lot of pressure on them and, with our good away form, I think you’ve got to be optimistic.

“But first and foremost you have got to look at the Slovakia match as a must win game. So, yeah, two tough games without a doubt but we’re on a great run and the spirit in the camp is high.”

The Leicester City man was at the Aviva Stadium yesterday to launch the Three Jersey Trade-in scheme, whereby fans can hand in their old Irish jerseys at any Champions Sports outlet and get €20 off the new version. The old jerseys will then to be donated to the Friends In Ireland charity for distribution among orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

Sean St Ledger is planning to visit that country next summer to see the charity’s work on the ground and, of course, he is hoping that it’s a trip he’ll have to organise around an Irish appearance at the European Championship finals.

“That’s the main aim,” he smiles. “Every footballer wants to play in a major championship and we’ve got a hell of a chance now. This time we can win the group outright whereas with Italy in the World Cup it was always going to be difficult. So these next two games are vitally important.”