Macedonia boss discounts past against Ireland

Macedonia coach Mirsad Jonuz insists the past will count for nothing as his side attempt to upset the Republic of Ireland for a third time.

The Macedonians will run out at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow evening having lost on both of their two previous visits to Dublin, but with a famous World Cup qualifier victory over the Irish and draw which cost them their place at Euro 2000 to their name.

But Jonuz knows that the latest instalment in the rivalry will be an entirely separate affair.

He said: “I remember the 1-1 draw, but I also remember when we lost 1-0 here in Dublin; I also think back to the game in Skopje when we won 3-2 and Ireland lost the chance to go to the World Cup.

“But every new match is a new chapter. We have prepared to do the best we can and at the end, we will see what happens.

“Our target is to score first in the match if it is possible.”

Macedonia currently lie in fifth place in Group B, three points adrift of Ireland in second, but Jonuz insists there is little to choose between most of the teams.

He said: “This is a very strong and interesting group we are playing in, with the possible exception of Andorra, and that’s why this match is very difficult.

“There can be a lot of surprises because I think the national teams of Russia, Ireland, Slovakia, Armenia and Macedonia are very close.

“Tomorrow night it is very simple, we know each other very well, we know the qualities of both teams and that the match is very important for both teams.

“The number of points is very close, and that is why we know we can have success tomorrow.”

Macedonia arrived in Dublin as Republic boss Giovanni Trapattoni tried to piece together a defence from his remaining fit players.

Keeper Keiren Westwood, full-back Kevin Foley and central defender Darren O’Dea will all make competitive debuts for their country in a game Ireland simply cannot afford to lose.

However, Jonuz is not expecting the task to be any easier as a result.

He said: “We are not thinking so much of the problems Ireland have in this match with some injuries because Ireland have a very strong team and they have good replacements.

“It is funny to talk about the weaknesses of a national team which is one of the favourites for qualification for Euro 2012 because Ireland have very strong players playing in the English Premier League, the best in Europe.”

Trapattoni has identified Inter Milan striker Goran Pandev as the main threat to his side, and is particular concerned at the aerial threat Macedonia may pose at set-pieces.

However, Jonuz has warned him that they are far from a one-man team.

He said: “Pandev does not play alone, there are many players playing with him who have to play for him to provide him with service.”

Trapattoni’s concern about Macedonia’s height advantage appears to be well-founded with Jonuz revealing he will start with FC Apoel defender Boban Grncharov rather than Igor Mitreski because of his physical presence.