UEFA Nations League Group B2
Republic of Ireland v Finland, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
TV/Player
Watch live build-up and coverage of the match on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from 7pm.
Radio
Listen to live commentary on an extended Game On with 2fm.
Online
There will be a live blog on rte.ie/sport, the RTÉ News app, as well as updates and goals on RTÉ Sport on X and RTÉ Sport Facebook.
Weather
Temperatures about nine degrees at kick-off, which is not as cold as recent days. A dry evening in Dublin.
Table as it stands
The first chapter for Heimir drawing to a close
The Nations League was the start of the Heimir Hallgrimsson era. Most importantly, he managed to secure a victory midway through the campaign as this week brings the group to an end.
Third place, currently held by Ireland, will lead to a play-off to stay in ‘B’ of the competition and help qualification chances for future tournaments.
Winning in Finland gave the new Irish boss some breathing space amid a pressurised start to his tenure.
The delay to his appointment had created some uncertainty as defeats to Greece and England gave him a rough introduction.
Robbie Brady’s goal changed the feeling for many stakeholders in the game who had endured lots of misery in the conclusion of Stephen Kenny’s time in the dugout and the opening matches of his successor.
Hallgrimsson, to his credit, has used the competition to view as many players in training camp as he could.
The task at the start of the group was to avoid relegation. Second place seemed like a big ask and Greece’s flawless record made it even harder. That chance is now virtually gone.
So we’re down to make or break game with Finland to secure third spot.
Team changes and Doherty’s redemption?
Football has a funny way of creating stories.
During Ireland’s loss to Greece, Matt Doherty was at fault for the second goal and cast as the villain in the piece.
He was subsequently dropped from the next squad and did an interview about his exclusion, feeling he should be part of the group.
It seemed like a long way back for a recall.
Veteran Seamus Coleman has been ruled out, meaning right-back had become an issue for Ireland.
Festy Ebosele has shown great form at club level with Watford, while also shining against Finland. He was the obvious solution.
However he has struggled with a knock this week.
🇫🇮 1-2 🇮🇪
Ireland lead! Festy Ebosele does so well to fashion the chance and it’s lashed home magnificently by Robbie Brady. ☘️☘️
📺
https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7🖥️ https://t.co/uiLtcfKbBP pic.twitter.com/WttqwQR4Mn
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 10, 2024
Doherty was recalled when the injury problems emerged and may even end up starting the game. Many eyes will be on him if so.
There is also a concern over Dara O’Shea, and with Shane Duffy already ruled out, defence has become an issue.
Nathan Collins and Liam Scales are likely to start with the full-back positions up for grabs.
Sammie Szmodics has impressed under Hallgrimsson and is set to to start, possibly with Evan Ferguson beside him. Andrew Moran will look to get a chance in midfield at some stage, more likely from the bench, after coming through the Under-21 squad.
With Chiedozie Ogbene out for the foreseeable future due to injury, it could provide Mikey Johnston with the chance to nail a place down in the team.
Tom Cannon is another possible new face in attack. Given Ireland have struggled for goals, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Irish boss trying something new late on.
Troy Parrott could get his opportunity after his good form in Holland, he is likely ahead in the pecking order of the likes of Cannon.
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolves), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Brom), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Andrew Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton), Ryan Manning (Southampton)
Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton), Tom Cannon (Stoke City, on loan from Leicester), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Brom)
Finland seek to salvage something
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson is hoping to take advantage of Finland’s need to win in Dublin on Thursday to avoid automatic relegation from UEFA Nations League B #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/79kVi3a9Om
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 13, 2024
Finland did the double over Ireland when paired with us in the Nations League campaign under Stephen Kenny.
They’ve enjoyed a lot of progress in recent years but after a loss to Wales in the Euro 2024 play-off semi-finals, this competition in particular has not been a happy time.
Four defeats with 10 goals conceded and two goals scored has been a poor return.
Joel Pohjanpalo scored his first senior goal in the match with Ireland, as did Arttu Hoskonen versus England.
While there is that new blood, we are quite used to some of the team now in this fourth meeting in a close space of time.
Fredrik Jensen previously scored twice against us and remains a regular starter.
Teemu Pukki remains their talisman while now in the latter stages of his career. He came off the bench against England with another key man over the years Robin Lod.
There is nothing to fear for Ireland, the task is if they can dominate a game in midfield, create the chances needed and then take them. It has been a rare feat against sides which aren’t minnows.
Reminder of what is at stake
World Cup qualification is still 10 months away. Ireland’s world ranking is at a new low and all the wins we can get will help with that situation.
Elsewhere a draw tonight secures third place which would see Ireland face a side that finished in second in a Nations League C group.
We will find out that opponent in a draw on 22 November.
Victory in that play-off would secure the ‘B’ status which helps with the possibility of a play-off in the future for tournament qualification.
Defeat against Finland would open up the chance of relegation to the ‘C’ group of the Nations League automatically.
England is up next on Sunday, a home victory on Thursday night would be a great starting point.
Watch Republic of Ireland v Finland on Thursday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary with 2fm’s Game On
