Russia v Republic of Ireland - Tuesday, 6th September 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

[christo]

A few things to consider... We've never lost an away game under Trap. Russia will be missing midfield all-rounder Igor Denisov. And Malafeev, their goalie, has a shot-stopping technique that gives me the impression he'd be more suited to back-row volleyball.

On that basis, I think we'll lose only 2-0.

I have the same impression of the keeper, he's just as bad as the Macedonian keeper so shooting on sight would be a good policy. Watching Macedonia cut through Russia's midfield on Friday makes me feel a bit safer with Whelan and Andrews not much though but they'll need a big game.

I'm hoping McGeady will show some of his potential he's been hiding for the last 7 years as well

[Kingdom]

------------------Malafeev-----------------

Anyukov - Ignashevich - V Berezutski -Zhirkov
McGeady -----------Doyle--------------- Duff

-------------------Arshavin-----------------
--------------------Keane------------------
-------------Shirokov - Semshov------------
--------------Whelan---Andrews------------
--Zyryanov---------------------Kerzhakov---
---Ward--------------------------Kelly
-----------------Pavlyuchenko--------------
-------------------Dunne------------------
--------------------O'Dea------------------

[Kingdom]

Aside from last friday, when he clearly wasn't fit, Aiden McGeady, statistically and observationally, has been our best offensive threat throughout a competition where we top of our group.

[pineapple stu]

What stats show that?!

How many crosses has he put in? How many goals has he scored? How many of those were as a result of a crap keeper? How many assists has he?

McGeady's ridiculously over-rated, I think. Yes, he can skip by a player, but he's got practically no end product whatsoever.

[CraftyToePoke]

i did. Which makes me feel really great about myself :(


I'm not looking for sympathy. I feel terrible. These things are not exactly black and white.
She feels terrible. I feel terrible. We're both miserable.

Always better, if there has to be triggering, to have been the triggeree than the triggered though, Fixer.

[BonnieShels]

Good to see tha FAI have come a long way.

[Real ale Madrid]

Comiserations to you Fixer82 but I'm not sure we should really be discussing relationship issues on this thread - this is an important game after all.

I mean what next ? - foot.ie posters discussing thier "feelings" on the eve of Shamrock Rovers v Rubin Kazan.

- people evoking difficult childhood memories the week of the FAI cup final ?

Just be careful thats all I'm saying......

[Mad Moose]

Good afternoon all,

Help with later coverage required if at all possible. I wont be able to see it live and been in England I'm not sure I could watch an online feed. I can get all the LoI games and highlights but not sure about an away International. Missed the Slovakia game (lucky me by all accounts) though listened online.

Any thoughts and help appreciated.

[CraftyToePoke]

Comiserations to you Fixer82 but I'm not sure we should really be discussing relationship issues on this thread - this is an important game after all

You also cannot rule out the karma beast here, if Fixer has acted fairly, with pureness of heart, it shouldnt impact on us, but if he has not then an Irish loss later could have been on the cards for him due to this, thus making it all his bloody fault. This is my main concern.

[Noelys Guitar]

Came across this as well:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqyjTNeDrds

It's footage from our 1986 World Cup qualifying game in the Luzhniki Stadium against the USSR in October of 1985. We lost 2-0 but Seamus McDonagh had a good game in goals pulling off some impressive saves.

Great find DI. Was looking for this game the other day. Not so unlike todays game. It was our last throw of the dice in regards to having a realistic chance of qualifying. But we gave our usual away performance of that time. Never looked like winning and capitulating as soon as the opposition scored. Hand was getting some serious stick at that stage (especially from Dunphy).

[Crosby87]

Come on what one single woman can tame Fixer? Was bound to happen. He's a man of great and varied taste. Caged birds accept eachother, but it is flight they long for.

I notice from watching the Open this last week that the Russian girls never ever smile. I wonder if Arshavin ever smiles. I guess I will see soon.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think Robbie could have a field day against Arshavin if he drops deep. I wonder if he's been put there so Andrews can't kick him.

[Noelys Guitar]

Don't underestimate the pressure on Russia. They are top of the group but in many ways they have even more to fear than us. They still have to go to Slovakia plus they also failed to qualify for the last world cup. We have to try exploit that. Very important Doyle, Keane, McGeady and especially Duff don't let them settle at the back. Everything seems to start with Zhirkov at left back. Much more important player for Russia than Arshavin.

[thischarmingman]

Radio commentary for this one available online, in the UK? I'm stuck at work.

[koneinc]

Radio commentary for this one available online, in the UK? I'm stuck at work.

RTE radio is available internationally ---> http://www.rte.ie/radio/index.html

[thischarmingman]

RTE radio is available internationally ---> http://www.rte.ie/radio/index.html
Cheers. :)

[koneinc]

No problem, I managed to swing a half day so I'll have a pint for you down Kilburn way

[Spudulika]

0-0, or at best/worst 1-0. If Ireland lose we might as well give up playing football. Russian media are slaughtering Advocaat again, toerag Karpin is trying to whip up a storm of hate against McGeady (which will help his position in Spartak - he's claiming McGeady delayed his comeback for Ireland and thus cost the scum a place in the Europa League, meanwhile he's trying to flog him). Only a handful of tickets left (less than 700 according to kassir.ru) , almost 1,000 Irish fans officially, half that again unofficially. Around 50,000 tickets gone. Zenit-Spartak mass fight was interrupted as blue shirted fans pulled off Moscow bound trains and buses since 10am, OMON have a massive presence in Komosomol Square and have been arresting known hooligans all week. Quiet atmosphere in Moscow, was out at Luzhniki and there are already Russian fans gathering.

Roll on 7pm!

[tetsujin1979]

Is Zhirkov suspended for Russia?

[Wolfie]

Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

When have we ever made things easy on ourselves in a qualifying group?

The nature of how we play will result in us producing a limited amount of clear chances. However, as Stuttgart says, - WE WILL CREATE CHANCES against Russia.

The point is, we need to be ruthless in converting these limited chances when they present themselves.

[Stuttgart88]

Yes, and the capital letters were important.

[Noelys Guitar]

Is Zhirkov suspended for Russia?
No Definetely playing.

[Wolfie]

Yes, and the capital letters were important.

Indeed, the capitals re-inforced the point, methinks.

Pre Match Tension now. The torture this team puts me through is beyond belief. Wouldn't have it any other way though.

I watched the Slovakia game in an Irish bar in Barcelona. The locals were curious to observe the Irishman sitting in the corner, head in hands, howling at the madness of it all.

[Murfinator]

I never thought a game would arrive where I'd actually want Kilbane to be available. Ward was shocking on saturday and I'm really worried he'll be targetted and lose us the game today. I hope I'm wrong and he has a big performance this afternoon, I think he'll need it.

[Noelys Guitar]

I didn't think Ward was that bad. Caught badly out of position once and looked a bit nervous but I thought he did OK. Was clearly under instructions not to go bombing forward (best part of his game). Lets hope he plays without nerves and scores the winner for us today.

[BonnieShels]

We will find out in 1hr46min.
I'm holding onto the idea that surely we are due a big pile of luck.

[Stuttgart88]

As a junior footballer I often lacked confidence, but if I got an early positive involvement and a quick shot of adrenaline I'd be fine. I think Ward neeeds to make a good early contribution. Same goes for Kelly, O'Dea and our two CMs.

[Murfinator]

I didn't think Ward was that bad. Caught badly out of position once and looked a bit nervous but I thought he did OK. Was clearly under instructions not to go bombing forward (best part of his game). Lets hope he plays without nerves and scores the winner for us today.

How much he was exposed was tempered by McGeady almost completely sacrificing his attacking game to support him. I think the actual extent of how bad his performance was shielded a bit by that. I'd actually never seen an Irish winger playing as deep as McGeady was on saturday, Kilbane is usually trusted more to not need support.

[Murfinator]

As a junior footballer I often lacked confidence, but if I got an early positive involvement and a quick shot of adrenaline I'd be fine. I think Ward neeeds to make a good early contribution. Same goes for Kelly, O'Dea and our two CMs.

Probably true, this is where our big players need to stand up and stamp a mark on the game for the lesser lights to follow.

[boovidge]

This is it. In a few hours we'll either be jubilant or distraught. I'm not sure I can handle another two years in the wilderness. There won't be another meaningful Ireland game in a year for a start. They've just got to pull it out of the bag somehow.Come on Ireland!

[Murfinator]

This is it. In a few hours we'll either be jubilant or distraught.

Or in the familiar position of relying on results elsewhere from the last two matchdays!

[Stuttgart88]

I think Slovakia will have enough difficulty with both Armenia and Macedonia to keep us interested regardless of our Russia result.

[Real ale Madrid]

would you take a draw now if someone offered it to you ?

[Bayern Munchies]

If only Trap had the balls to play a real attacking midfielder we would have a great chance I think, I couldn't see Arshavin breaking up the play at all if we had a bit of a quality player playing in the hole...

However I'm still optimistic that we could knick a surprise win here...I'll be saying a few hail Mary's from now until kick off anyway...

Come on you boys in Green

[geysir]

Where is that real attacking midfielder hiding?

[Bayern Munchies]

Where is that real attacking midfielder hiding?

Northen Ireland maybe...:giggle:

[zero]

the head is gone now lads. i'm incapable of both impartiality and rationality - i can see us getting steamrolled and the game over in 20 mins. i can see a battling 0-0. or a gutting late late winner for the hosts.

and other scenarios. good ones.

come on lads. you're good enough to be in the finals. show us that today.

[lionelhutz]

would you take a draw now if someone offered it to you ?

Yes. But I'd prefer if we were offered a play off spot!! I'd definitely take that.

[Noelys Guitar]

Lets go and get the three points. I want to hear their crowd booing their team off the pitch. Dick getting chased from the stadium by a mob with burning torches. A flukey 1-0 with Given having a stormer.

[Real ale Madrid]

Yes. But I'd prefer if we were offered a play off spot!! I'd definitely take that.

I'm sorry a draw is the best I can do!

[paul_oshea]

Good afternoon all,

Help with later coverage required if at all possible. I wont be able to see it live and been in England I'm not sure I could watch an online feed. I can get all the LoI games and highlights but not sure about an away International. Missed the Slovakia game (lucky me by all accounts) though listened online.

Any thoughts and help appreciated.

Do what i do leave work early.

Really no excuses*. I know a lot of lads who have taken half days. Heading out the door in 20 mins.

Unless of course your profession doesn't allow for your own holidays such as teacher etc.

[shakermaker1982]

God I love flexi time! C'mon Ireland. 1 famous away victory please.

[zero]

if you must, just watch it on a stream. there won't be many others doing it so the IT crowd shouldn't notice / care.

http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/

[paul_oshea]

why not flavour it up trap, go for the unpredicatble and then the russians wont be so sure about how we play. Bamboozle them :)

[Closed Account]

Whirlwind few days, been on the beer since Saturday eve, only got a chance to watch a replay of Friday late last night. Robbie and Richards misses looked a lot worse on second look.

Less nervous about this game as we aren't expected to win, we seem to do better when that's the case. Hopefully can sneak out of work in the next 20 minutes without anyone noticing.

[TheBoss]

Russia Startting XI:

Vyacheslav Malafeev

Aleksandr Anyukov Aleksei Berezutski Sergei Ignashevich Vasili Berezutski

Igor Semshov Roman Shirokov Konstantin Zyryanov

Andrey Arshavin Aleksandr Kerzhakov Yuri Zhirkov

[AlaskaFox]

Bench:
Westwood, Foley, Delaney, Lawrence, Hunt, McCarthy,Cox

Where's tets? :D

[paul_oshea]

No keogh.goose good.he has a plan b

[Noelys Guitar]

McCarthy to come on and score the winner.

[tetsujin1979]

Bench:
Westwood, Foley, Delaney, Lawrence, Hunt, McCarthy,Cox

Where's tets? :D
poxy new job :(