Soccer Scene

Preview: Republic of Ireland - Poland
Friendly
19.11.2008 at 19:45 - Croke Park

Preview
Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will make two changes to the side that beat Cyprus 1-0 in the World Cup qualifier last month.

The Italian has come in for criticism in Ireland for failing to watch his players in action when playing for their clubs but his record with the Republic has been impressive.

Ireland remain unbeaten in their World Cup qualifying group after taking a total of seven points from three games.

Trapattoni is looking to use the friendly with Poland on Wednesday as a chance to allow his younger players to gain vital experience before the next World Cup qualifier against Georgia in February.

This will mean starts for the likes of Manchester United's Darron Gibson, Wolves' Andy Keogh and Caleb Folan of Hull City in Wednesday's clash.

Folan will come in for the injured Robbie Keane after he damaged his shoulder while playing for Liverpool against Bolton on Saturday.

Keane's absence also gives goalkeeper Shay Given the chance to lead the side out for what will be his 91st cap as he takes the captain's armband.

The only other change sees Wolves forward Andy Keogh fill in for the injured Celtic winger Aiden McGeady.

Although Richard Dunne has been named in the Italian's starting line-up he may have to be replaced, after he left the squad on Tuesday to be with his wife as she went into labour with their child.

The defender may yet return to the Ireland camp but Ipswich defender Alex Bruce is on stand-by to replace the Manchester City captain.
Fabianski to start

The visitors will be no pushovers as they currently sit in second place in their World Cup qualifying group with seven points from four games.

Poland are in the same group as Northern Ireland and will be looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Slovenia in their previous match.

In goal for the visitors is Arsenal understudy Lukasz Fabianski and he will be looking to show what he can do between the sticks.

Ireland will have to keep quiet Roger Guerreiro and Pawel Brozek if they are to keep a clean sheet.

Guerreiro was born in Brazil but secured Polish nationality immediately before Euro 2008, in which the forward scored in the group game against Austria.

Ireland starting XI: Shay Given, Paul McShane, John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Kevin Kilbane, Andy Keogh, Darren Gibson, Glenn Whelan, Damien Duff, Kevin Doyle, Caleb Folan.

Possible Poland XI: Fabianski (Arsenal); Wasilewski (Anderlecht), Jodlowiec (Polonia Warsaw), Dudka (Auxerre), Wawrzyniak (L Warsaw); Blaszczykowski (B Dortmund), M Lewandowski (S Donetsk), Gargula (GKS Betchatow), Krzynowek (Wolfsburg); Guerreiro (L Warsaw); Brozek (W Krakow).



History


H / A / N Matches W D L Goals + / -
H 13 5 6 2 19 - 15 +4
A 15 1 5 9 11 - 29 -18
N 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 +0
Total 28 6 11 11 30 - 44 -14


Date&time Comp. H / A / N Final score
11.09.2018 at 15:00 Friendly A 1 - 1
11.10.2015 at 20:45 European Cup Qualifier A 1 - 2
29.03.2015 at 19:45 European Cup Qualifier H 1 - 1
19.11.2013 at 15:00 Friendly A 0 - 0
06.02.2013 at 19:45 Friendly H 2 - 0
19.11.2008 at 19:45 Friendly H 2 - 3
28.04.2004 at 20:00 Friendly A 0 - 0
16.10.1991 at 17:00 European Cup Qualifier A 3 - 3
01.05.1991 at 00:00 European Cup Qualifier H 0 - 0
22.05.1988 at 15:30 Friendly H 3 - 1
12.11.1986 at 00:00 Friendly A 0 - 1
23.05.1984 at 00:00 Friendly H 0 - 0
24.05.1981 at 00:00 Friendly A 0 - 3
12.04.1978 at 00:00 Friendly A 0 - 3
24.04.1977 at 00:00 Friendly H 0 - 0
26.05.1976 at 00:00 Friendly A 2 - 0
21.10.1973 at 00:00 Friendly H 1 - 0
16.05.1973 at 00:00 Friendly A 0 - 2
23.09.1970 at 00:00 Friendly H 0 - 2
06.05.1970 at 00:00 Friendly A 1 - 2
30.10.1968 at 00:00 Friendly A 0 - 1
15.05.1968 at 20:00 Friendly H 2 - 2
25.10.1964 at 00:00 Friendly H 3 - 2
10.05.1964 at 19:00 Friendly A 1 - 3
05.10.1958 at 15:30 Friendly H 2 - 2
11.05.1958 at 00:00 Friendly A 2 - 2
13.11.1938 at 00:00 Friendly H 3 - 2
22.05.1938 at 00:00 Friendly A 0 - 6
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