Matt Doherty: Ireland not dead and buried in World Cup bid just yet

The odds are that the Group A horse has bolted in terms of reaching Qatar but not mathematically. There are still 21 points to play for

Matt Doherty of Republic of Ireland in action against João Cancelo of Portugal. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

The shadow cast by Luxembourg hangs heavy over the Aviva Stadium this evening.

Ireland’s last appearance in Ballsbridge ended with that mortifying 1-0 defeat to the erstwhile minnows. That it came on the back of such a brave but ultimately futile effort away to Serbia only adds to the sense of déjà vu for the visit of Azerbaijan three days on from the national team’s heralded efforts in Portugal.