The play-off format hasn’t been kind to Ireland in recent years. In the last 16 years, the Republic have contested five play-offs for major tournaments and only won one. So Giovanni Trapattoni’s men won’t be taking anything for granted in their two games with Estonia, even though they’ve undoubtedly got the best of the draw.
Estonia are the lowest-ranked nation in the Euro 2012 play-offs but did well to finish second in a qualifying section that included 2010 World Cup finalists Serbia and Slovenia as well as the Italians. They did lose four of their 10 games, however, though did complete the double over Northern Ireland and the tiny Le Coq Arena in Tallinn will be packed to the rafters for the first leg of their tie with the Irish as Tarmo Ruutli’s team bid to become the first Estonian side to qualify for a major finals.
The man the Irish may have to watch out for is midfielder Konstantin Vassiljev, who plies his trade in Russia for Amka Perm, though record goalscorer Andres Oper recently earned a recall to the national side and may well be employed again as a talisman. Middlesbrough’s Tarmo Kink is also likely to be involved, even though he’s not seen much action for the Championship side lately.
A 3-2 home defeat to Russia means a playoff place is the best we could hope for
Trapattoni may have to wait until the last minute to name his side in Tallinn with injury doubts surrounding several players, Shane Long and Leon Best have already been ruled out, while John O’Shea and Liam Lawrence are struggling. Kevin Doyle is also suspended but Robbie Keane and Aiden McGeady have joined the squad from far-flung corners of the globe. The first leg of this play-off may be all about the Irish keeping their nerve and ensuring they are in pole position to qualify ahead of the second leg at the Aviva Stadium next week. To that aim, the coach may decide to play Keane as a lone striker with Stoke’s Jonathan Walters joining in from an advanced midfield position.
Despite the fact that Estonia are arguably the weakest team left in the tournament, Ireland would almost certainly be happy with a draw in Tallinn and hope their tremendous record in Dublin would see them home. That outcome is 11/5, while a 0-0 correct score can be backed at 11/2.
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