International Friendly Preview & LIVE UPDATES: Republic of Ireland -v- Uruguay

Ireland play 16th ranked in the world Uruguay at the Aviva (Kick-off 6:00 PM), in a game that gives vital preparation for next week’s important Qualifier against Austria. 

 

CLICK FOR LIVE UPDATES FOR REP OF IRELAND V URUGUAY 

 

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

In the early hours of Friday morning, the Republic of Ireland fell to a 3-1 defeat to Mexico in MetLife Stadium, on a night when James McClean captained the side on his 50th cap. Ireland set up in a 3-5-2 formation, for the first time under Martin O’Neill, and handed first starts to ex-Dundalk man Daryl Horgan and Callum O’Dowda. Debuts to Cork born pair Kevin Long and Alan Browne saw six ex-League of Ireland players make an appearance.

 

In front of an attendance of 42,017 – many of whom were travelling Irish or American-based Irish supporters – watched Mexico maintain their unbeaten record over Ireland. Second-half substitute Stephen Gleeson pulled one back for the Boys in Green but the Irish were already down 3-0 at the time. Goals from Jesus Manuel Coruna and a Raul Jimenez penalty meant Ireland were dead and buried after 25 minutes and meant El Tri fans were sent in to raptures. Carlos Vela excellently poached a third goal on 54 minutes after his teammate forced a brilliant save from Darren Randolph.

 

In truth, Ireland never looked like scoring or attempting a comeback. The Mexico midfield seemed to have more quality, skill and most importantly, fitness, than their counterparts. The hot climate did not help but one cannot blame anything over that performance and result, Mexico had the better night and that’s that.



 

International friendlies usually don’t have the same interest as qualifiers, not just with Ireland but everywhere else across the football world. Of course, in friendlies a country and their manager wants to put their best foot forward and put in a solid performance. Honestly though, the overriding feeling Ireland fans have is that the result did not matter too much. It is about getting match fitness up, and along with tonight’s game against Uruguay, is about obtaining match rhythm for the vitally important World Cup Qualifier next Sunday against Austria.

 

Summer friendlies can flatter to deceive for the most part. If you cast your mind back to June 2015, Ireland played England in a much anticipated game at the Aviva. As much as it was an historic occasion for fans and media alike, the actual 90 minutes will not go down in the history books.

 

At times it would have been hard for Ireland to have played much worse against Mexico. O’Neill’s experiment with 3-5-2 is likely to be never used again given how it backfired. Shane Duffy, Richard Keogh and John Egan never truly looked comfortable, not helped by a midfield that struggled to gain any foothold in front of them.



 

“We had to try it (the formation change), that’s the whole point, that’s what I said in the last two or three days, let’s have a look at it, because we might have to do it at some point in our World Cup campaign, we might have to change systems,” said the Derry native.

“You can play number of systems but you have to deal with situations. Mexico played much better than us, they deserved to win the game. As far as I’m concerned, it was great, I was delighted to take the game on, I thought it was great preparation.

 

“You are disappointed to concede goals at any given stage. You mentioned earlier what can we learn from the game, I think a great deal, all over the pitch at certain stages in the game Mexico dealt with the ball very, very well and I thought they were much fitter than us.”

 

Ireland and O'Neill now turn their attention to Uruguay at the Aviva Stadium and mentioned how great it was for his players to get fitness in the Friday morning defeat but also how much other players will benefit fitness-wise after Sunday.

 

“In terms of our preparations for the main game against Austria, I thought it was excellent. Mexico were very good, they were good on the ball and thought it was a great workout, a great exercise for us.

 

“There are some who haven’t played for their club for considerable amount of time. I think that showed greatly, we’ve got the game on Sunday, we’ll see how they come out of that. In terms of getting 90 minutes, that was great for Shane Duffy and if he’s come out of it unscathed all the better.”

 

Nine players have been added to the 19 man squad ahead of the visit of Edinson Cavani and Co. With match fitness and a chance to try new fringe players top of the priority lost, Ireland are recalling several key players. Harry Arter will be fit to play, as is Glenn Whelan

 

Captain Robbie Brady and Burnley team-mate Jeff Hendrick will also return, alongside Aiden McGeady, Stephen Ward, John O'Shea and striker Jonathan Walters. Jonathan Hayes, Kieran Westwood make up the ten. Goalscorer from Friday, Stephen Gleeson, has left the squad as he is due to get married. (Link to Paul Corcoran story that is on site)

“I know I've said it umpteen times and it's worth repeating - I don't mind these tests, I prefer them," O'Neill said.

 

"I prefer the players to be in against something rather than taking a relatively easy friendly game. If there's such a thing, and get a false confidence about yourself.

 

"It's best to go and play these games. It is all preparation for Austria.”

 

 

URUGUAY

'La Caleste' come into this game off the back of three consecutive losses. Peru, Brazil and Chile are those teams that have beaten the Blues in those three games in the South American qualifying group. After an impressive start which left Uruguay looking like group winners 11 games with only two defeats. With those wins, their record still reads as a respectable seven wins, two draws and five losses. Third place on goal difference with Chile is the state of ple, with four fixtures left.

 

Paraguay, Bolivia and Venuzuela will prove tough fixtures but their next qualifying fixture is so important. The hosting of Argentina when qualifying resumes on August 31st is the big one, as the Argies are a point behind Uruguay.

 

Currently in Carton House enjoying the top class facilities with his 20 man squad, boss Oscar Tabárez is with his home country for eleven years now and in his second spell.

 

Uruguay had in fact been to just one World Cup since Tabarez left the post in 1990. Not only did he oversee his nations qualify for the 2010 World Cup, they made it to the final four. Uruguay then cemented its status as South America’s best by claiming the Copa America in 2011; in Argentina’s backyard, nonetheless.

 

A trained school teacher, ‘el maestro’ led a complete overhaul of Uruguay’s youth system, implementing an approach to mirror not only the style of the senior side but the mentality of the country, convincing its players at every age group that they can prevail through sheer determination.

 

Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera may be one player known to fans, as he is current number 1 for Galatasaray.

 

Young forward Diego Rolan, of Bordeaux, is in the squad and he possesses the skill, flair and ability which has linked him to a 20 million move to Inter Milan.

 

Luis Suarez will miss the game in Dublin with a thigh injury, while Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Martin Silva have also dropped out since the squad was named. Malaga defender Federico Ricca could make his debut at the back, but the Uruguay squad is otherwise packed full of experience, with the likes of Maxi Pereira, Cristian Rodriguez, Egidio Arevalo Rios and Edinson Cavani all involved.

 

Cavani had been in blistering form for Paris Saint-Germain last season, and with Suarez out will lead the line for Uruguay. He had 47 goals in 47 domestic competitive games for Paris Saint Germain. He really seemed to thrive in the number nine role now that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is no longer on the books.

 

The Uruguay players and staff will want to put their dismal run to bed with a win in the Aviva, with a good performance to boot. A win would breed confidence for Wednesday too, when they face Italy in a friendly.

 

Referee:Craig Thomson (Scotland)

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Last time the sides met, it was a friendly at the Aviva in March 2011. The game resulted in a 2-3 win for the South Americans. Goalscorers that day were Shane Long and Keith Fahey for the hosts, whereas goals from Diego Lugano, Cavani and current Hull City man Abel Hernandez in the first half gave their side a first interval lead.

 

Tonight’s encounter is the fourth meeting between the nations. Three of those four were friendlies. The head-to-head record reads; three Uruguay wins with one draw.

 

Uruguay are currently third in the South American Group for the race to the World Cup in Russia. Four teams from the continent go through automatically with the team finishing in fifth place relying on a play-off to qualify. Brazil have already qualified and top the group. Columbia are second on 24 points, one point ahead of Uruguay and Chile. Argentina are in the play-off place a point further back those two on 22 points. On August 31st, Uruguay host the Argies in Montevideo in a mouth watering match-up.

 

Ireland’s last five fixtures: LLDWW

Uruguay’s last five fixtures: LLLWD

 

 

MATCH BETTNG

Republic of Ireland 18/5; Draw 27/10; Uruguay 8/13

 

PREDICTION

Republic of Ireland 1-2 Uruguay

 

 

Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph, Keiren Westwood, Colin Doyle
Defenders: Cyrus Christie, Alex Pearce, Richard Keogh, Shane Duffy, John O'Shea, Kevin Long, Andy Boyle, John Egan, Stephen Ward
Midfielders: Aiden McGeady, Eunan O'Kane, Glenn Whelan, Harry Arter, Conor Hourihane, Alan Browne, Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Daryl Horgan, Wes Hoolahan, Callum O'Dowda, James McClean, Jonny Hayes
Forwards: Jonathan Walters, Daryl Murphy, David McGoldrick