Hungary v Republic of Ireland - Sunday 16th November - 2026 World Cup qualifier

[pineapple stu]

So it's come to this. 15 minutes into the first game against Hungary, our campaign was over. Now we go there "just" needing a win to make the play-offs, on the back of a deserved win over Portugal while Hungary struggled past Armenia in Yerevan (I think Armenia had a couple of great late chances to take a draw.

Manning and Molumby are back, and I don't think anyone's out after yesterday? Maybe Azaz, but I think he only came off with Cramp.

But do you make changes to yesterday? After all, it worked - and it worked when it got going in the second half against Hungary too.

This couldn't be on - could it?

And if we can win and Portugal lose at home against Armenia...well, let's not get too carried away.

[Fixer82]

Armenia had a glorious chance right at the death. Hungary are no great shakes.

I would stick with the same team as last night but with Manning coming in for Scales and Molumby in for Taylor. Both were excellent last night, especially Scales.

But Manning’s free taking could be crucial.
And Molumby’s tenacity could also be very much needed.

[backstothewall]

The big thing about last night is that we've gone from this being an impossible to task to a plausible ask. Had we drawn last night we would still have been in it, but we would be heading to Hungary needing to win by 4 clear goals.

Now we need a win. Any win will do. We've shown that we can defend, and that we offer a threat from set pieces. Based on that we have a punchers chance of getting what we need.

And there must be a spring in the step this morning that's been absent for years.

On the contrary there would have been a hell of an adjustment in the mood in the best hotel in Yereven last night. Hungary will be worried.

[pineapple stu]

Had we drawn last night we would still have been in it, but we would be heading to Hungary needing to win by 4 clear goals.
Two goals.

I remember in secondary school, the maths teacher ran the football 5-a-sides. Started with a group stage and then into knock-outs. One team needed to beat their opponents by three goals (say), but the didn't realise that when playing against their direct rivals, every goal they scored was worth two in terms of goal difference, because it was a goal conceded by the rivals too. They thought they needed to win by six, and kept pushing even after getting the third goal. The maths teacher thought it was hilarious and used it as a brief sarcastic example in class :)

[backstothewall]

Two goals.

I remember in secondary school, the maths teacher ran the football 5-a-sides. Started with a group stage and then into knock-outs. One team needed to beat their opponents by three goals (say), but the didn't realise that when playing against their direct rivals, every goal they scored was worth two in terms of goal difference, because it was a goal conceded by the rivals too. They thought they needed to win by six, and kept pushing even after getting the third goal. The maths teacher thought it was hilarious and used it as a brief sarcastic example in class :)

Of course.

In my defence I was up late last night!

[rebelmusic]

I was really, really impressed with Scales last night. He took 15 minutes to settle and stop drifting into the center but it was really solid defensive display from there with an assist going forward.

I'd be strongly inclined to keep the back 5 from last night and play Manning in the left attacking role instead of Azaz. He has the strongest delivery in the team and could be a great link with Parrot. He's much stronger defensively than Azaz as well and we're realistically going to spend long spells without possession on Sunday

Ogbene, Cullen and Taylor all had their best games in an Irish shirt so they should keep their place.

Parrot is a no-brainer

[rebelmusic]

The mind monkeys will begin affecting Hungary at some point and they'll start protecting the draw instead of pushing for the win. So if we keep them out for the first 20 minutes we'll have a real shot.

This is really, really achievable. And looking at the list of second place teams, there's some very beatable playoff opponents in the mix.

[Kingdom]

The mind monkeys will begin affecting Hungary at some point and they'll start protecting the draw instead of pushing for the win. So if we keep them out for the first 20 minutes we'll have a real shot.

This is really, really achievable. And looking at the list of second place teams, there's some very beatable playoff opponents in the mix.

One has to be believe that the emboldened sentiment above is a thing.
Look at it from their perspective:
- Started the group like a train: 2-0 up away to the team most likely to vie with them for either top or play-off spot;
- rival comes back and snatches draw;
- lose at home to a late goal;
- can't shake off rival ahead of final match vs rival;

Extreme take, but fair nonetheless: They've gone from looking at potentially winning the group after 30 mins of the first game, having not qualified for a World Cup since 1986, to being 1 goal away from elimination on the last night. Damn straight the mind-monkeys are at play and maybe it would be no harm if the Irish management started mentioning this and the Irish media started pronouncing it.

[Kingdom]

"Here's Troy Parrott, it's up for grabs now...."

[backstothewall]

The mind monkeys are our 12th man now. And the longer it's 0-0 the more monkeys there will be.

In a strange way i'd prefer it to be 0-0 at half time than have them be ahead. This wants to be a smash and grab.

Winning the coin toss could be important. They will have that merry band of neo-fascist ultras dressed in black behind one of the goals. If we can play with them at our back in the first half and come in all square they might start getting on their own teams back every time we come forward in the second half, as we will obviously be forced to eventually.

[passinginterest]

I'd be strongly inclined to keep the back 5 from last night and play Manning in the left attacking role instead of Azaz. He has the strongest delivery in the team and could be a great link with Parrot. He's much stronger defensively than Azaz as well and we're realistically going to spend long spells without possession on Sunday



Manning for Azaz is a good call. It makes a lot of sense. I wouldn't mind Molumby or even Coventry for Taylor. All fairly similar and fresh legs starting there might be useful.

Mentality monsters needed to help the mind monkeys overcome the Hungarians :D

[Crosby87]

https://www.xtratime.org/forums/hungarian-football.186/

Hungies may talk the match here

Register for some polite discourse

[liamoo11]

I was really, really impressed with Scales last night. He took 15 minutes to settle and stop drifting into the center but it was really solid defensive display from there with an assist going forward.

I'd be strongly inclined to keep the back 5 from last night and play Manning in the left attacking role instead of Azaz. He has the strongest delivery in the team and could be a great link with Parrot. He's much stronger defensively than Azaz as well and we're realistically going to spend long spells without possession on Sunday

Ogbene, Cullen and Taylor all had their best games in an Irish shirt so they should keep their place.

Parrot is a no-brainer

We will have to bring on fresh legs with zuch a short turnaround. Taylor plays very little at Ipswich I'd absolutely bring in molumby fresh and athletic. Swap festy in for ogbene as festy has been playing consistently in Turkey and will be fresh and athletic to help out seamus on that side as Seamus has to play even though physically with so little club football surely it will be a massive ask. I'd start manning instead of azaz add a left footed threat and support scales.

[pineapple stu]

I think you're right on fresh legs, and Molumby in for Taylor in an obvious swap in that regard. Manning for Azaz makes sense too.

But there's no way you can start Festy in such an important game after his performance yesterday surely? That said, Johnston - the other obvious candidate - wasn't exactly great in his last two games either. McGrath? That's if Ogbene needs to be replaced. His first touch was crap at times last night - including, ironically, just before he hit the post - but equally he was a threat (such as when he hit the post)

[Kingdom]

It'll be interesting to see what Hungary do.
They only need to draw, so don't have to attack us at all. But they won't be eager to sit back and be cautious, purely based on the frustrations they expressed in Dublin and how they were going to look for the same kind of officiating to favour them, in the way 'it favoured Ireland' in Dublin. But for that to happen, they'd have to attack us.
So that's an obviously interesting sub-plot to Sunday.

They have one aspect that I'd be concerned about and that's there ability to strike from outside the box - we did concede a few of those chances to Portugal but quick to close down the space and forcing the effort.

[osarusan]

We looked most threatening against Hungary when we moved it up the pitch and into their box quickly enough and didn't give them time to settle.

Turns out they were fairly easily rattled by that.

If last night is a guide, we'll be doing that again. Knock it up the pitch, then work off setpieces into the box and keep the pressure on.

[legendz]

A draw with Portugal and a 2 goal win was the original plan. Hope we don't end up with the reverse of a 2-0 first and then a draw that is of no use.

Tough call to stick or twist with the same starting XI. Hard to make changes after an impressive win but freshness could be key as well. Going with the same starting XI with such a short turnaround doesn't always work out.

To go on a 5 game winning run to qualify would be incredible. Hungary away - the cup final that is a playoff quarter final.

[backstothewall]

I've changed my mind about the team. After the Portugal performance it has to be the same 11. How can you justify dropping anyone after that?

If it isn't working we can make changes. By all means bring Manning on at some stage if it's needed. But we shouild start with the same team.

[rebelmusic]

I've changed my mind about the team. After the Portugal performance it has to be the same 11. How can you justify dropping anyone after that?

If it isn't working we can make changes. By all means bring Manning on at some stage if it's needed. But we shouild start with the same team.

I agree in principle but I'd keep Azaz on the bench and bring him on if we're chasing the game.

Most important thing is that we're still the underdogs and the expectation pressure is off the team.

[Fixer82]

I've changed my mind about the team. After the Portugal performance it has to be the same 11. How can you justify dropping anyone after that?

If it isn't working we can make changes. By all means bring Manning on at some stage if it's needed. But we shouild start with the same team.

I agree. I’ve come to that conclusion myself. Keep the momentum going. There’s 5 subs can be made throughout

[irishfan86]

The boys will be running on adrenaline. I’m OK to keep the same team. Probably we will need to sub out Taylor at some point given his lack of match fitness. It’s possible Coleman will fade.

I’m really glad we were in a position to take Parrott off relatively early to keep him fresh.

Theoretically I wouldn’t be opposed to starting Molumby over Taylor but part of me just says reward the starting lineup from the other night unless there’s a known injury going in.

[rebelmusic]

I'd be shocked if he takes Coleman off. That probably cost us the draw in Lisbon. Coleman has another level when he plays for Ireland and he doesn't need to care if it affects his club performances so he can go hell for leather.

14 hours to go...haven't been this excited about an Irish game since.....since...

[legendz]

Theoretically I wouldn’t be opposed to starting Molumby over Taylor but part of me just says reward the starting lineup from the other night unless there’s a known injury going in.
I wouldn't be opposed to making at least two changes but starting the same XI to keep momentum is understandable. It can happen at times that a player can come in and play well for a game. If the manager has a player or two who weren't available the other night back in contention to play - if there's more confidence that those players can come in and perform, there's a decision to be made. There are 5 substitutions but you don't want to have to be reacting to something after the event either.

[Crosby87]

I don't think HH is going to want to get too cute with the starters.

I realize of course we played them already but what do you lads think of Hungary going into this?

Is it possible that we have an advantage in a way knowing they only need a draw? That would terrify me if the situation was reversed. We would sit back, play scared and then over compensate. Its not like that are so successful to fall back on pedigree either.

[Crosby87]

C'mon lads

This is getting annoying

[John83]

Shh! You'll break the illusion.

[Eirambler]

Both American based players drop out of the 23 with Manning and Molumby back in.

[pineapple stu]

14 hours to go...haven't been this excited about an Irish game since.....since...

The second leg of the Denmark playoff...?!

It's the last time we were in with a shot of something and coming in on the back of a good result.

Coleman should be ok for today I'd say - not as if he's playing every week at club level too. I think Molumby for Taylor may strengthen us anyway.

But the main thing here is Hungary hated what we did to them in the second half, which was similar to what we did to Portugal (actually Portugal was probably a more controlled version). Does it translate to an away game where the opposition just need a draw?

5 hours to find out I guess

[rebelmusic]

The second leg of the Denmark playoff...?!

Probably...that second leg put such a black mark on that whole endeavour that my brain wanders further 😂

I hear you on Molumby...his capacity to get carded worries me though. I'd almost prefer to see Taylor start and spring Molumby from the bench once the temperament of the game has been established. That might just be my own match anxiety talking though !

4 hours and we'll know the lineup sure

[Eirambler]

Have really enjoyed the last two days of optimism, it has made a welcome change from pretty much everything else that has happened since the beginning of 2020. That said, the most likely scenario is that today is the day our campaign ends, as to stay alive we need to beat a higher ranked team away from home in a competitive game, which we almost never do. If we manage a top 2 finish in this group, it will be our biggest achievement in close to a decade. Let's face it, under the previous manager we'd be already hearing about building for the future and how many players he had capped by this point of the campaign.

I'm just hoping for a good performance, and if we get that at a minimum I'll be happy enough with the campaign as a whole.

[pineapple stu]

Molumby in for Taylor only change

Here we go!

[SkStu]

Come on!! Get into them!

[passinginterest]

Have a horrible feeing we have a red card coming in this one and Hungary will win 3-0. Optimism is for the weak.

[backstothewall]

For the first time in years i feel genuinely nervous about a game involving our men's national team. Those nerves are only possible because of hope. They have a genuine opportunity to pull this campaign out of the fire today.

[Nesta99]

If this sticks im switching off!

[pineapple stu]

Surely that was offside?

What a **** start

And Portugal score, so there's our automatic qualifying chances gone

[Fixer82]

Looked so offside

[backstothewall]

Why haven't we seen a replay from the camera at the side of the pitch?

[SkStu]

Looked really close to being off. Probably a foot somewhere.

[pineapple stu]

Penalty incoming!

But who to take it if it's given?

[Nesta99]

I hate and love being a football fan in equal measure!

[SkStu]

I can’t fckin handle this lads

[Insidetherock]

I hate and love being a football fan in equal measure!

I know.. whole Sunday under pressure

[pineapple stu]

Armenia equalise, and the group win is back on the cards!

[backstothewall]

How has this only been 25 minutes?

[Nesta99]

Bit like Holland 1990 the tempo lol. Only thing about this mexican standoff is it conserves energy if chasing something late on.

[SkStu]

Armenia equalise, and the group win is back on the cards!

3-1 Portugal now.

[Nesta99]

What are the pitch markings off or outside the goal line and touchline, between 18yd and corner flag. One for HT maybe, nervous mind.

[backstothewall]

What a strike

[culloty82]

Nobody closing him down, though.