Soccer: Ireland-Portugal World Cup qualifier

Ireland can virtually confirm their place in the World Cup finals in 2002 in Japan and South Korea if they can defeat Portugal at Lansdowne road this afternoon.

Mick McCarthy’s team go into the game without the influential defender Kenny Cunningham but they welcome back top scorer, Niall Quinn after he missed the last few games through injury.

McCarthy will name the team just before kick-off in order to give some players as much time as possible to shake off niggling injuries.

Meanwhile, Portugal must do without their captain and experienced defender, Fernando Couto.

Couto was banned from all football competitions after he tested positive for illegal substances recently and his recent appeal against the ban was turned down. Portugal will play the game under protest against the decision.