Ireland v Spain: how the game will be won
It should be no contest, the superstars from Spain against Mick McCarthy’s Irish journeymen, now shorn of their finest player.
But Ireland have heard it all before. They know they are a match for anyone, regardless of what Roy Keane thinks about their preparation and administration.
And Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho knows the score when he says: ‘‘Ireland do not lose many matches.’’
And in Suwon on Sunday, unless the Spanish are on top of their form they will go the way of Holland, dumped from the qualifiers by Ireland, who make a habit of upsetting the giants and have already drawn with potential winners Germany.
On the face of things clubless Gary Breen and veteran Steve Staunton against Raul and Fernando Morientes is a mismatch. So is Mark Kinsella and Matt Holland against the supreme talents of Juan Valeron.
That midfield pairing will have to work their socks off to dull the Spanish superior technique and flow.
Ireland do have a realistic chance, and it is all down to pace. Up front Robbie Keane, Kevin Kilbane and Damien Duff all have electric pace and that will trouble the ageing Spanish central defence of Fernando Hierro and Miguel Nadal. And if Niall Quinn gets into the action, they will both know they have been in an aerial battle.
Neither Spanish full-backs, Juanfran and Carles Puyol, venture forward a great deal, but Francisco De Pedro has an excellent left foot and fine set piece delivery.
But for Ireland it is the giants of the Spanish game- Luis Enrique roaming from the right of midfield, Valeron’s class and passing, Raul and Morientes superb up front - who are the obvious dangers.
Ireland know what they must do. They succeed so often with ferocious graft and tireless midfield work to nullify the flow from the likes of Valeron. They will need cover in front of Staunton and Breen to contain Raul and Morientes’ movements.
And they will need the ball in early to Keane and Duff to give them the chance to run at defenders.
Puyol did not like being attacked at pace by Emile Heskey when Liverpool played Barcelona in the Champions League, so Duff could make progress down his flank.
Ireland will need what they have the most of. Passion, desire, spirit and running power.
Let Spain play and Ireland will be murdered. Keeping the game at a high tempo and rattle the Spanish stars with relentless tackling and covering is the only way.
But despite the three group-stage wins for the Spanish and a growing confidence in their ranks, they have flaws that were shown in the first half-hour of their first match when Paraguay attacked mercilessly down both wings.
Ian Harte, if picked, Steve Finnan on the other side, plus Kilbane and Duff can do damage.
The rest is down to Irish heart.
