Ireland interested in result rather than performance in must-win against Armenia

Boys in Green boss Heimir Hallgrímsson is staying positive after the defeat to Portugal.

Heimir Hallgrímsson would accept a ‘shitty’ Ireland performance against Armenia on Tuesday once it delivers a first win of the World Cup qualification campaign.

All of Ireland’s hopes of ending a 16-year wait for an appearance at the global showpiece rest on a resurrection in the second half of the campaign.

That begins against Armenia, the team which inflicted a 2-1 defeat on the Irish last month.

Hallgrímsson admitted a miracle was required to salvage second place and it almost began on Saturday by holding a stellar Portuguese side scoreless until Rúben Neves pilfered a stoppage-time winner.

At minimum six points are required across this meeting with the bottom seeds, followed by the concluding double-header at home to Portugal on November 13 and away to Hungary three days later.

“We need to accept the reality that the pressure is on us now,” conceded the Icelander, who will be without suspended midfielder Josh Cullen on Tuesday.

“The result is the only thing that matters. However we do it, I would play a shitty game and win 1-0 because this is a result game. 

“We don’t need to score in the first minute – it could be the 91st – but if we’re not smart against Armenia, they’ll punish us again.” 

Ireland boss Hallgrímsson was eager to highlight how significant the game is too for the Armenians.

Despite losing 2-0 to Hungary on Saturday, their motivation is to reach the six-point mark heading into the final pair of matches.

“If you take the focus away from us, Armenia have three points and can go six, so it's equally as important a match for them,” he noted.

“This is their chance to go to the World Cup. They view this game probably the same way as us, as a must-win game, so a little different there.” He pleaded for the Irish public to share his faith in the squad.

“I've always been honest with you by believing in this team. I think this team has everything to qualify for the World Cup.

“We are not the favourites in the group at the moment but a win tomorrow would change that.

“And I believe that we are going to do that.”