European Cup Play off
11.11.2011 at 20:45 - Le Coq Arena
Republic of Ireland are just 180 minutes of football away from reaching their first European Championship finals since 1988 as they prepare for the first leg of their play-off against Estonia on Friday night.
Ireland are a far more experienced side than their unheralded opponents but they know only too well how difficult it is to come through a play-off, having emerged victorious in only one of their previous six attempts.
The most recent defeat, of course, came in Paris two years ago when Thierry Henry s infamous handball helped France advance to the World Cup at the expense of Giovanni Trapattoni s men.
Republic regrouped impressively following that heartbreaking night and set about trying to qualify for Euro 2012, eventually finishing second behind Russia in a fiercely competitive Group B.
Having missed out on an automatic place in Poland and Ukraine, the Irish were seeded for the play-off draw and could not have hoped for a better outcome.
Getting the second leg at home is perceived to be a considerable advantage, but before welcoming Estonia to Dublins Aviva Stadium next Tuesday they must first pick up a positive result in Tallinn.
A capacity 10,000-strong crowd awaits at the A Le Coq Arena and the senior figures in the Ireland set-up have been careful not to underestimate Estonia in the build-up to the match.
The likes of Robbie Keane and Shay Given may have played at the 2002 World Cup, the last time Ireland made it to a major tournament, but they are determined to avoid further play-off anguish.
Trapattoni has also admitted that his job is on the line, with speculation suggesting the 72-year-old Italian will not be offered a contract extension if the tie is lost.
Trapattoni has already named 10 of his starting XI and the only decision left is whether Stokes Jonathan Walters or Simon Cox of West Brom will partner Keane up front.
Damien Duff, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Aiden McGeady will line up in midfield and a back four of Stephen Kelly, Sean St Ledger, Richard Dunne, Stephen Ward will shield veteran goalkeeper Given.
John O Shea and Shane Long are injured, while Leon Best is unavailable as he awaits the birth of his first child.
The Newcastle striker had already been a doubt with groin and toe injuries but is expected to link up with the squad after Friday s clash.
Estonia news
While Ireland are fully aware of the magnitude of these two games, it is undoubtedly the biggest tie in Estonia s history, with the nation having never before reached a major tournament since achieving independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Estonia were not expected to challenge for qualification from Group C, which was predictably won by Italy, but they defied the odds to finish above Serbia, Slovenia and Northern Ireland.
A 2-1 victory away to Northern Ireland last month clinched their spot in the play-offs and coach Tarmo Ruutli rates the tie with Republic as 50-50.
Middlesbroughs Tarmo Kink is perhaps the most familiar name to followers of British football in a team without major stars, but Estonia are a cohesive unit whose improvement has been based on hard work.
Captain Raio Piiroja has amassed 107 senior caps and will be a key figure in central defence, while attacking midfielder Konstantin Vassiljev was Estonias leading scorer during the qualifying campaign with five goals.
Jarmo Ahjupera is likely to start as a lone striker, with support from Kink and Vassiljev as Estonia look to establish a lead they can try and protect in Dublin.
Joel Lindpere, a team-mate of Irelands nemesis Henry at New York Red Bulls, is also back in the Estonia squad after ending his self-imposed exile from the national team.
Republic of Ireland: Given, Kelly, St Ledger, Dunne, Ward, Duff, Whelan, Andrews, McGeady, Keane, Walters/Cox.
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