Soccer Scene

Preview: Republic of Ireland - Georgia
World Cup Qualifier
11.02.2009 at 19:45 - Croke Park

Preview


Manchester City's Stephen Ireland remains out of the Republic of Ireland picture for the World Cup qualifier against Georgia on 11 February.

Ireland is continuing his international exile while Andy Reid is again left out by manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

Steve Finnan and Stephen Kelly return to the 25-man squad for the Croke Park clash after injury.

Noel Hunt retains his place in the 25-man squad after being a late call-up for the friendly against Poland.

The Reading man is preferred to Anthony Stokes while Coventry's Keiren Westwood gets the third goalkeeping slot.

Westwood is preferred to Scunthorpe's Joe Murphy.

Speculation had mounted that Manchester City midfielder Ireland would end his self-imposed exile by declaring himself available for his country once again.

However, it has been reported that Trapattoni has yet to receive a direct approach from the 22-year-old.

Ireland pulled out of the Republic squad prior to a Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic in September 2007 and he has not played for his current since.

At the time, the Manchester City player claimed that a grandparent had died but it was later revealed that the real reason for his withdrawal was that his girlfriend had suffered a miscarriage.

Sunderland midfielder Reid has not had a single minute on the pitch in an international since the Italian's arrival in Ireland in May.

After initially claiming that he had "no problem" with Reid, Trapattoni did say in a later interview that the midfielder had breached a 1am curfew three days before the World Cup qualifier against Montenegro.

The Republic defeated Georgia 2-1 in the German city of Mainz in September to launch their qualifying campaign and went on to forge a good position in the group by drawing in 0-0 Montenegro and beating Cyprus 1-0 in Dublin.

Trapattoni's side are currently second in Group 8 - three points adrift of world champions Italy, but with a game in hand.

Republic of Ireland squad-

Goalkeepers: Given (Newcastle), Kiely (West Brom), Westwood (Coventry)

Defenders: McShane (Sunderland), O'Shea (Manchester United), Dunne (Manchester City), Kilbane (Hull), Bruce (Ipswich), Delaney (QPR), Foley (Wolves), Kelly (Birmingham), Finnan (Espanyol)

Midfielders: McGeady (Celtic), Andrews (Blackburn), Gibson (Manchester United), Whelan,(Stoke) S Hunt (Reading), Miller (QPR), Keogh (Wolves), Duff (Newcastle)

Forwards: Keane (Liverpool), Doyle (Reading), N Hunt (Reading), Folan (Hull), Long (Reading)

Republic of Ireland can go joint-top of Group Eight with a win over Georgia, live on Sky Sports 1.

Giovanni Trapattoni's troops are unbeaten in qualifying to date and they will be looking to complete the double over Georgia at Croke Park after overcoming Hector Cuper's side in Mainz in September.

Blackburn midfielder Keith Andrews is in line to make his first competitive start for his country after impressing at Ewood Park this term and he is set to partner Glenn Whelan in midfield.

Paul McShane will undergo a late fitness test on his hamstring injury to decide his participation in the contest.

Kevin Kilbane is expected to start at left-back with John O'Shea partnering Richard Dunne in the heart of defence.

Reading striker Kevin Doyle will partner Robbie Keane despite being knocked unconscious last weekend.

Georgia are sweating on the fitness of skipper Kakha Kaladze as he struggles to shake off a knock.

Midfielder Levan Kenia is also a major doubt for Cuper's side as they look to secure their first win in qualifying.

History


H / A / N Matches W D L Goals + / -
H 6 6 0 0 11 - 1 +10
A 5 3 2 0 7 - 4 +3
N 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 +0
Total 11 9 2 0 18 - 5 +13


Date&time Comp. H / A / N Final score
12.10.2019 at 17:00 European Cup Qualifier A 0 - 0
26.03.2019 at 19:45 European Cup Qualifier H 1 - 0
02.09.2017 at 20:00 World Cup Qualifier A 1 - 1
06.10.2016 at 19:45 World Cup Qualifier H 1 - 0
07.09.2015 at 20:45 European Cup Qualifier H 1 - 0
07.09.2014 at 19:45 European Cup Qualifier A 2 - 1
02.06.2013 at 15:00 Friendly H 4 - 0
11.02.2009 at 19:45 World Cup Qualifier H 2 - 1
06.09.2008 at 18:00 World Cup Qualifier A 2 - 1
11.06.2003 at 00:00 European Cup Qualifier H 2 - 0
29.03.2003 at 00:00 European Cup Qualifier A 2 - 1
Powered by tplSoccerStats 2.3.1.1 © 2003 TPL Design