Defeat is unthinkable - Duff

Damien Duff has insisted failing to beat the Faroe Islands tomorrow “is unthinkable” amid fears the Republic of Ireland could ultimately throw away their World Cup dream.

Ireland’s destiny along the road to Germany next summer is still firmly in their hands, despite Saturday’s Lansdowne Road draw with Israel when they threw away a two-goal lead.

Given the remaining fixtures, 10 points from the remaining 12 is what is required for manager Brian Kerr’s side to secure the runners-up spot in Group Four at worst.

Kerr, though, has made it clear he does not want to settle for second best, with the aim still to finish as group winners and so guarantee themselves automatic qualification, rather than head down the tortuous route that is the play-offs.

For that to happen, Ireland have to beat the bottom-of-the-table Faroe Islands, who have managed to win just one point from their six matches in this campaign to date.

Although they have home advantage, and with a rough and ready pitch at the Torsvollur stadium in Torshavn likely to prove a great leveller, the Faroes are not in Ireland’s league and a victory is very much expected.

Duff is aware of that as he said: “Not winning tomorrow is unthinkable.

“We came into these last two games looking for six points. That isn’t going to happen, so the next best thing is four. It means we have to get three tomorrow – nothing else will do.

“We know they will sit back and pack the midfield, so it’s not going to be a stretched game. It’s going to be tight.

“Whether it be a bit of luck or magic that gets us the win then we’ll take it. We just need the three points, we are desperate for them.

“With the situation in the group, it’s obviously in our own hands. If we do win these last four games then we qualify.

“But we’ve the Swiss and French at home, with two tough away games starting tomorrow. It’s only there for us to throw away.”

Duff knows he has to play a bigger role in helping Ireland secure their passage to the finals, in particular in the goalscoring department where for a player of his undoubted quality, he has managed just six in 53 caps.

It is now 17 months and 10 matches since Duff last found the net for Ireland, and with Robbie Keane out and Clinton Morrison a doubt, the focus will shift to Duff if the latter fails to shake off a lower-back injury

“For me, Robbie is tops and we are definitely going to miss him, so the responsibility is on me and the other players to get the goals,” added Chelsea winger Duff.

“I’d liked to have scored more. I’ve not scored for 10, although I’m still contributing by setting up goals.

“But I’m due a goal – everyone knows that – and hopefully it will be tomorrow. I’ll have a long, hard look at myself because I do need it.”

While Duff concedes he is willing to play anywhere for the Irish cause, he knows he is more effective in his favoured wing position.

That was again the case on Saturday, as Kerr’s decision to sit him behind Morrison after Keane’s departure with a shoulder injury in the 25th minute, badly backfired.

Kerr has options against the Faroes, but surely he will resist pushing Duff into attack in Keane’s absence, and instead utilise the 26-year-old in the position where he can cause most damage.

That would be Duff’s choice as he plainly stated: “I think it’s obvious to any football fan that my best position is on the wing, left or right.

“I’ve played an awful lot this season on the right for Chelsea, but I’ll do anything for my country. If it means playing left back, right back, I’ve no problem.

“But I prefer the wing, and that’s where I cause most problems.

“What happened on Saturday, it’s unfortunate Robbie got injured. We did lose momentum when he went off and then we gave away two crap goals, but that wasn’t down to me going up front.

“Obviously, we were devastated at the result after the game, but there is now a quiet determination again to put it right tomorrow.”