Coach hoping away fans can help Pole-axe Irish

Polish manager Waldemar Fornalik is hoping that the sizeable away support in the Aviva Stadium tonight will help his side overcome Giovanni Trapattoni’s Irish side.

The manager, speaking with the media at the stadium on the eve of the game, is looking to use this evening’s game as preparation for their crucial home World Cup 2014 qualifier with Ukraine next month.

“It is very hard to say who the favourite is as there will be so many supporters from Poland,” said Fornalik. “If there was only Irish supporters, they would have the 12th player but in this scenario it is hard to say who is the favourite.

“I would like to say that this match is quite important to us. It is a very important test before the World Cup match with Ukraine. The group of players that came with us is a strong group of players. They can show good football. We count on our team and we count on their good performance.”

Fornalik declined to name his team last night. He hinted that both Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczesny and Southampton’s keeper Arthur Boruc will get a run out during the game. He admitted the goalkeeping situation “is a competition”. “We haven’t made a decision yet,” he said.

Fornalik wasn’t reading too much into Ireland’s heavy loss to Germany last autumn either. “We have analysed the Irish team. It is hard to base our opinion’s on the game against Germany. We are ready for every option, to be honest,” he said in relation to Ireland’s formation.

“Let us not forget that the Irish team took part in Euro 2012. Every team after such a tournament goes through a process of change which could be quite problematic. Ireland is also going through that process of change. Ireland can do quite well and will not be an easy team to beat.”