'We have no option but to win the games against Ireland' - Hungary goalkeeper eyes victory

Qualification would end a 40-year wait for Hungary since they participated in the 1986 World Cup. Ireland’s drought of 24 years is mild by comparison.

Adam Idah scores against Hungary. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile.

Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Balázs Tóth insists his Hungary side will be gunning for victory against Ireland in Saturday’s opening World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road.

A point to take back to Budapest for the visit of top seeds Portugal next Tuesday would seem a creditable return but the 27-year-old believes six points against Ireland is paramount.

Whichever nation tops the group completed by Armenia when the six matchday series concludes on November 16 will qualify directly for next summer’s finals in North America.

A runners-up finish keeps that nation in the mix by entering the playoffs next March. Tóth suggested that’s a minimum target for the Magyars.

Dénes Dibusz of Robbie Keane’s Ferencváros has been the established goalkeeper in the seven-year reign of Marco Rossi.

He’s 34, the same age as Péter Szappanos, but Tóth staked his claim by earning his debut in June by starting the friendly win over Azerbaijan.

“We don't have to beat the Portuguese,” he asserted, setting out the objective of the 10-week campaign.

“Any point gained against them would be a feat. Looking at the group, we have no other option but to win two games each against Ireland and Armenia to get second.

“There is not much time between the qualifiers, very little time to improve. We hope there’s no cosmetic work to do.”

Like Caoimhín Kelleher, Tóth started out as a striker in his early days before converting to a stopper. He's begun the season at first-choice at Blackburn, playing all of their four Championship games so far, and the pressure is on Rossi to enact a change between the posts.

“If the manager decides to pick me, I should stand in the goal in a way that the success does not depend on me,” he stressed.

“I can help the team but I do not want to be selfish either.

“I am of the opinion the goalkeeper who is most useful to the national team should be in goal.

“I take into account that I am a fan and more important than anything else right now is that the fans have the best team to get us to a World Cup.

“The only thing that matters is Hungary finally reaching the World Cup after a long time.”

Qualification would end a 40-year wait for those fans since Hungary participated in the 1986 World Cup. Ireland’s drought of 24 years is mild by comparison.

“I received my first squad call four years before my debut so we can’t say that it came as a surprise,” he said about his belated bow.

“I am very happy that I finally made it onto the field for the national team. It’s good that I’m over the first one but I would like to increase my caps.”

HUNGARY SQUAD

Goalkeepers: D Dibusz (Ferencváros), P Szappanos (Puskás Akadémia), B Tóth (Blackburn Rovers).

Defenders: B Bendegúz (SK Rapid), M Dárdai (Hertha BSC), M Kerkez (Liverpool), A Mocsi (Rizespor), Z Nagy (Puskás Akadémia), N Loic (Le Havre), Willi Orbán (RB Leipzig), A Osváth (Paksi FC), A Szalai (Kasimpasa), G Szalai (Ferencvárosi).

Midfielders: Á Csongvai (AIK), B Dárdai (VfL Wolfsburg), B Ötvös (Ferencvárosi), C Styles (West Brom), D Szoboszlai (Liverpool), Alex Tóth (Ferencváros), V Milán (ETO).

Forwards: Z Gruber (Ferencváros), D Lukács (Puskás Academy), R Molnár (Pogon Szczecin), R Sallai (Galatasaray), Barna Tóth (Paksi), B Varga (Ferencváros).