Jim Crawford’s young men are back in action
The Ireland Under-21’s face a crunch tie in their quest for a maiden European finals on Friday night as they welcome Slovakia to Turners Cross.
Both sides have perfect records and sit level on points in the group, with Slovakia ahead on goal difference by two goals.
Ireland defeated Moldova away 2-1 in the group opener last month before following it up with a 1-0 win over Andorra in Tallaght.
Neither performances were vintage but starting the group with two wins was a necessity which they have delivered on.
Slovakia comfortably dispatched Andorra 3-0 in their opener last month before also narrowly winning in Moldova 3-2, boasting six different goalscorers across the two games.
The current group leader’s squad is mainly made up of domestic based players, with Lique 1 side Toulouse’s Mario Sauer standing out as their best player- the midfielder has played seven times for the French side this season.
Jim Crawford has picked a squad featuring the majority of those involved in last month’s camp, with duo Sligo Rovers Conor Walsh and James McManus alongside Ipswich Town’s Leon Ayinde coming in and Andrew Wogan, Harry Vaughan, Freddie Turley and Cian Dillon dropping out.
Fellow Sligo starlet Owen Elding and Manchester United midfielder Jack Moorhouse have yet to receive call ups due to ongoing paperwork issues regarding switching allegiances, with the latter potentially able to come into the camp if the paperwork is finalised.
Crawford set up in a 4-4-2 against Moldova before switching to more of a 4-2-3-1 versus Andorra.
In previous campaigns, he has often set up in a 3-5-2/5-3-2 against sides of superior or similar quality opponents, with Slovakia fitting into the latter description.
Given the form of wingers Jad Hakiki, who is excelling at Sligo, and Rocco Vata, who has a goal and an assist in his last two for Watford in the Championship, it remains to be seen if that switch to a three-back will be made.
Mason Melia and Michael Noonan fired Ireland to two victories last month and come into the camp in goalscoring form.
Similar performances from both will be welcomed on Friday in what is a huge tie in the context of the group.
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