Cunningham focused on Faroes game

Kenny Cunningham is loathe to concede tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands is a must-win game – but the Republic of Ireland skipper knows deep down victory is vital if a dream is to be realised.

Understandably, the Faroes are seen as the Group Four whipping boys, with coach Henrik Larsen admitting he would be happy with a point from the match at Lansdowne Road.

But even that is unthinkable for Ireland, who are aware they cannot afford to undo all the hard work put into achieving draws in Switzerland and France in their last two matches.

Only victory will surely suffice and satisfy all within the Republic camp, along with the thousands of Irish fans, many of whom danced with delight on the streets of Paris in the wake of Saturday’s goalless draw against France.

Centre-back Cunningham is at least assured the heads of the squad are clear and focused on what will be the first meeting between the two countries.

“After a game like that against France and the euphoria surrounding it, it is important to get back to basics as quickly as possible,” said Cunningham.

“In all honesty, there hasn’t been too much talk of the France game around the hotel in the last day or two and we all realise if we don’t make this game count against the Faroes – and that means winning it – then the draw with France will mean very little.

“So we are very focused on the game, although we know it’s not going to be easy because there are big expectations, and a different challenge to the one we faced on Saturday.

“They will have a defensive attitude and put players behind the ball. They will ask us questions us like ‘are you good enough to break us down?’, ‘are you imaginative enough in your creative play?’ and ‘are you brave enough to get on the ball and pass through us?.

“Hopefully we will have the answers.”

But when asked about the ‘must-win’ factor, Cunningham replied: “It’s too early to talk about that.

“People said before the game in France that we couldn’t possibly lose it, but only at the end of a campaign can you look back and analyse which were the key games in a group, although certainly all the home games are vital.

“We know we will be favourites coming into this game, and statistics will tell us that, but we will have to prove it.

“We realise this is a potential banana-skin, so we will give them the respect they deserve because anything is possible at any given moment in time.

“If your focus and preparation are right, the chances of an upset become smaller, but if you don’t treat them with the respect they deserve, then those surprises can happen – and it is possible it can happen tomorrow.

“We can’t be scared of that fact. We have to recognise it is possible.”

It is why Birmingham defender Cunningham is preaching “patience is absolutely key” and he is confident the Irish fans will recognise that.

“I think on the whole the Irish footballing public is very knowledgeable and they will realise the fact the Faroes aren’t going to throw players forward and make it easy for us to cut through them,” observed Cunningham.

“While we’re all hopeful of an early goal, it may not come, so everybody should be patient.

“The important thing is at the end of the 90 minutes we find ourselves at least one goal ahead, and whether that goal comes in the first minute or last, then so be it.”