Ireland's potential play-off opponents: form, lowdown and travel bug tips
Wales' Harry Wilson celebrates scoring their side's sixth goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup European Qualifying match at the Cardiff City Stadium.
33.
Qualified for seven tournaments. Finished third in their first, 1974.
Jan Urban. The 63-year-old, who played at the 1986 World Cup finals, is only five months in the position, having succeeded Michal Probierz. The latter quit after star striker Robert Lewandowski threatened to retire.
Robert Lewandowski.
He may be 37 and seemingly on his way out of Barcelona at the end of the season but the darling of Poland continues to lead the line. His header in the Warsaw meeting 10 years ago was decisive in Euro qualifying but Ireland eventually joined them in France via the playoffs.
Finished three points off unbeaten leader Netherlands, whom they drew with twice, but an early defeat to Finland left them playing catch-up.
All but one of their four qualifiers was played at the national stadium in Warsaw and it is there, rather than Chorzów, where they exacted revenge on Finland, that will host the playoff.
Lots. Ryanair run direct flights to Warsaw, the accommodation, food and drink are all reasonable too.
34.
Have been to two tournaments, 64 years apart. Back in 1958, the great Welsh team led by John Charles reached the quarter-finals. Another global star, Gareth Bale, brought them to the last in 2022, when his penalty secured a 1-1 draw against USA.
Craig Bellamy. A controversial character but effective striker in his playing days, he adopted a patient approach to coaching. Almost a decade on the sideline, the majority was spent flanking Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and Burnley before taking the standalone plunge last year.
Brennan Johnson.
A tight call against Wilson but Johnson is a €50m player with a Europa League final medal pocketed at the age of 24. The Tottenham winger makes Wales tick and is improving that vital aspect: consistency.
Second to Belgium. Losing both of those meetings, 4-3 and 4-2, put them in combat with an improving North Macedonia team but Harry Wilson’s brilliance contributed to a 7-1 drubbing on the final night.
Cardiff City Stadium. Its 33,280 capacity is less than half that which the nearby Principality holds but players and fans alike prefer the intimate settings.
Easy to get there. While Cardiff flights are sparse, Bristol is an option. There’s always the ferry. Expect hotel prices, food and drink to be similar to home.
44.
Maybe not in recent times but they would consider this a glorious opportunity of reaching a tenth tournament. Finished runners-up in 1934 and 1962.
That was Ivan Hasek up until a month ago when he paid the price of losing to lowly Faroe Islands.
“There’s a proposal for the immediate removal of head coach Ivan Hasek," Czech FA chairman David Trunda thundered. Jaroslav Kostl too caretaker charge for November but local legend Pavel Nedvěd could be in place for the playoff.
Tomáš Souček.
At 30, the West Ham United still bosses their midfield. There’s goals in the Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, both Vladimir Coufal and Adam Karabec are talented but their star quality has dipped.
Runners-up was always the likely route following a 5-1 thumping by Croatia, whom they finished six points behind.
They collected 16 points from eight matches but that loss away to the Faroes stung.
Various cities nationwide. Hradec Králové and Plzeň were visited early but they may opt to use the 19,300-capacity Fortuna Arena in Prague for their new manager’s debut.
Anyone in Cork planning a Spring break could fly direct to Prague on Aer Lingus, four days in advance. Ryanair and Aer Lingus both have regular flights from Dublin and the cost of everything, once landed, is cheap as chips.
46.
Like their neighbours Czechia, their primary history was in their previous joint guise. As Slovakia, they’ve had the 2010 tournament to cite as a reference point. They were knocked out by the Netherlands 2-1 at the last-16 stage
Francesco Calzona. The Italian is a student of Maurizio Sarri, the pair working together at Napoli since 2015. Calzona has been three years at the Slovakian helm, imparting that Italian defence steel on the players.
Martin Dúbravka.
He might be a goalkeeper but he 36-year-old is at the nerve-centre of the team, executing all that experience he’s gained that makes him still a Premier League stopper at Burnley alongside Josh Cullen.
By edging Northern Ireland for second. Shocking Germany 2-0, thanks to goals by David Hancko and Middlesbrough forward David Strelec, had them dreaming of direct qualification but Northern Ireland’s win by the same score ensured it was one of the most competitive groups. Last weekend’s 1-0 win over Michael O’Neill’s side was decisive.
They’ve moved their qualifiers around the grounds of many clubs but the spanking 22,000-seater Tehelné pole in Bratislava seems certain to be their chosen venue. As with Prague and Cardiff for Irish fans, tickets could be scarce.
Plentiful. Daily direct flights are available from Dublin to Bratislava as are a bundle to Vienna, situated a short 40-minute hop away. Fans of the women’s team found the cost inexpensive on their trips in recent years.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
