European Qualifier Elite Stage
31.03.2015 at 11:00 - Carl Benz Stadium, Mannheim
Paul Doolin's side have had an impressive season but were unfortunate to suffer two single goal defeats to Czech Republic and Germany in their opening two Elite Phase qualifiers.
While the Irish can now no longer qualify for the finals they can still have a major impact on the outcome of the group as Slovakia and the Germans each have four points while the Czechs are on three points.
"We have a few sore bodies and some of the lads were a bit stiff after German game which was very testing but we trained today so hopefully that'll get everybody going," said Doolin.
"Slovakia will be a tough test. They scored a 93rd minute equaliser against Germany and that's how tight the margins are. They could have had no points but now they have four.
"We had a 2-2 draw with them two years ago. Looking at their win over the Czech Republic I felt the Czechs were all over the place against them and it could have been even more. The Czechs defended very badly.
"Slovakia have a lot of good players. They have a striker Tomáš Vestenický at Roma, their playmaker Jakub Hromada is at Juventus, the keeper Marek Rodák at Fulham and Filip Lesniak is at Tottenham.
"It's a really big game for them. If they win they'll qualify no matter what Germany do but our players deserved something from both games and didn't get it. We're not trying to help anybody. We're just trying to show that we're a good side too.
"It was a great game against Germany and I've no problem with that. The season has been very good in general and we've done very well so we'd like to finish on a positive note."
FIXTURES & RESULTS
Thursday, March 26, 2015
UEFA U19 Championships Elite Qualifying Round Group 2
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Czech Republic, Carl-Benz Stadium, Mannheim (GER)
Saturday, March 28, 2015
UEFA U19 Championships Elite Qualifying Round Group 2
Germany 3-2 Republic of Ireland, Hardtwaldstadion, Sandhausen (GER)
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
UEFA U19 Championships Elite Qualifying Round Group 2
Republic of Ireland v Slovakia, Carl-Benz Stadium, Mannheim (GER) (11.00am Irish).
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