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.