Oct 10,2024
UEFA Nations League Group B2
Finland v Republic of Ireland, Olympiastadion, 7.45pm
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Listen to live commentary on an extended Game On with 2fm.
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A chilly evening in Helsinki with temperatures about nine degrees at kick-off local time 9.45pm.
The dawn of a new day
The Heimir Hallgrimsson era began with something of a whimper.
There was excitement ahead of the England clash, albeit more to do with the occasion than the chance of victory.
A comprehensive defeat was followed by another flat performance against Greece. Come full-time at the Aviva Stadium the majority of "the best fans in the world" had left.
That tagline has been severely tested by the last number of years. Over 1,000 Irish supporters will be present in Helsinki, hoping to see a first ever away Nations League victory.
Ireland head to Finland having won only six of their last 31 competitive fixtures and just two of the 18 they have played in the Nations League.
Gibraltar make up four of those victories along with Armenia and Scotland.
Hallgrimsson carries the weight of bad results, negativity and expectations that Ireland will eventually get out of this slump.
The new boss is trying to lift the gloom, however difficult it may be.
"I wouldn't say a losing streak, but if you are in a downward spiral it’s good to do something different in a different country, a different environment, shake things up," he said.
"The players are staying together much more and are closer, that’s a good team-building thing, to travel and stay somewhere else.
"We have just been continuing trying to implement the principles we'd like to have in play, showing them the good stuff from our last camp and the bad things as well, just trying to learn from the last camp and then on to this one.
"I feel better this camp but that's mainly what we have been doing – we had maybe five meetings, we are doing more talking than training."
Perhaps the only way is up. We'll find out at around 9.30pm.
Team changes
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Hallgrimsson has changed his squad with a view to see as many players as possible.
That was at least the line used at his press conference, particularly when dropping the experienced Matt Doherty.
It might seem harsh to drop a seasoned player with plenty of years left in his career in a group of players lacking in such nous, yet something has to change.
Midfield has proved the big issue for Ireland in recent years. Jack Taylor and Finn Azaz has been called in to the squad in that area.
It seems unlikely they will start, particularly away from home. Nations League games are important for rankings in qualification draws and at the same time the new boss must get a look at some of the players at his disposal.
Callum Robinson and Callum O'Dowda withdrew from the original squad. It leaves the following players who all trained in Helsinki on Wednesday morning.
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
Ireland will be captained again by Nathan Collins with Seamus Coleman out injured.
He revealed his family were in tears as he took the armband following Coleman's injury in the last international window.
At just 23, a long era of Collins captaincy may await when the Everton man calls time on his career.
Finland aren't exactly on a high
Finland won the two matches between the sides in the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League. Those games don't stick in the memory - for obvious reasons - while also occurring during Covid-19.
Fredrik Jensen scored the winning goals in that matches. He didn't start the 3-0 loss to Greece before being recalled in the 2-0 defeat to England.
Teemu Pukki remains their talisman while now in the latter stages of his career.
Former Rangers player Glen Kamara and Robin Lod are also goal threats, despite the Finns failing to hit the net so far this campaign. That is something they have in common with the Boys in Green.
Something may have to give for both sides.
Perhaps there is a similar feeling in Finland around the game that there is in Ireland.
A maximum of 20,000 fans are expected in total as they look to rescue their Group B2 hopes.
Reminder of the importance of the competition
Ireland are facing the drop if they lose this game.
If we were to be optimistic, second place in League B offers a play-off against the third-placed team from the tier above but that already looks a big ask.
Third place would mean a relegation play-off against the second-place finisher from the tier below.
Defeat tonight would leave Ireland bottom and heading for League C.
The return game is next month along with the away clash in Wembley.
The draw for any play-off will take place on 22 November.
