The Republic of Ireland will be looking for their first win of the UEFA Nations League campaign when they take on Finland at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki tomorrow night. The match, set to kick-off at 7.45pm (9.45pm local time), sees Ireland Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson looking to get his first victory on the board when they face the Finns on Thursday, October 10. Finland will also be looking for their first win of the campaign after their defeats to Greece and England in September, with over 1000 Irish supporters set to travel to Helsinki for the match tomorrow.
Republic of Ireland Head Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson said: "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. 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 to try 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."
Republic of Ireland defender Nathan Collins added, “Obviously, it’s a huge moment for me and my family. I probably didn’t take in the moment as much as I should have, but that’s just the way I am,” he says of the captain’s role, which he also filled at home to Greece in the last game. “My family did, I think they were crying in the stand, honestly, it means a lot to me and my family. I think in this camp, it’s nearly easy being a captain of this team as there are so many leaders. It's been a very positive week, we've had a lot of meetings, we've had to, it's part and parcel of international football. I think the work we have done on the pitch has been very productive; we're looking forward to go now and we have a good feeling this week.”
Finland’s Strong Home Record
Finland have won their last two home games and going back further they’ve won four of their last six in Helsinki, including a 4-0 victory over Northern Ireland. Finland have a solid home record in the Nations League with six wins in nine games since the competition’s inception. In contrast, Ireland have travelled poorly and they haven’t managed an away win in the Nations League, losing five of their eight trips so far. This suggests that Ireland will have a tough task ahead of them in Helsinki.
Can Hallgrimsson Turn Things Around?
Heimir Hallgrimsson has endured a tough start to his tenure as Republic of Ireland boss with back-to-back 2-0 home defeats ahead of a tricky trip to Finland on Thursday in the Nations League. Hallgrimsson is in danger of becoming manager in the country’s history to lose all of his opening three games. The Boys in Green are in genuine danger of falling into League C if they cannot rectify their dismal run away from home, losing their last eight away games. Despite it being so early in Hallgrimsson's reign as manager, there have already been suggestions that his position could come under pressure if his side fail to win either of this month's two games, with Richard Dunne claiming that the FAI could look to bring someone new in.
Ireland’s Performance Under Hallgrimsson
Hallgrimsson put his Ireland players through their paces at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki at 9am Irish time yesterday. Most coaches prefer to train in line with kick-off which tonight is at 9.45pm local time — Finland being two hours ahead. But the Ireland gaffer had his squad out of bed early to get used to their match surroundings and, beforehand, he explained his logic. Hallgrimsson said: “A lot of coaches do the same time as kick-off time. That would mean that we would just be waiting for training in the afternoon. Instead we finish that off and then the players can do whatever they need to do. Some players probably need to get some sleep, so they can do that after their training session. And then we will do an activation in the morning and then have a late kick-off. That’s just my preference, and I think that’s better in the environment we’re working in, and especially travelling between countries, I think that is a good thing to do the training early and the players can choose what they do for the rest of the day.”
Ireland’s Hopes for Improvement
The former Jamaica gaffer said: “My wish is that our performance will improve from last game to this game and from this game to the next game. I think there’s not a big difference between us and Finland and Greece. If we improve our performance I think then it’s closer to the win,I just want a better performance. Of course you always like to win. I’m not setting a target but I think and I’m feeling positive, much more positive from what I see in training and meetings than I did in the last camp.” That, once more, highlights the folly in waiting so long to appoint Stephen Kenny’s successor as those improvements could have occurred from the March to June international windows across which Ireland played four friendly games. As it is, they are trying to learn on the hoof but Hallgrimsson is encouraged by the fact the players appear to be fast learners. He said: “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.”
With captain Nathan Collins nodding in agreement alongside him, he added: “Honestly, I really feel much better in this camp, both in meetings, in the sessions, there’s a higher tempo in what we are doing. That would tell me that they are getting it better than last time and maybe that’s understandable with a new coach, new things, etc. 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.”
Ireland’s Squad for the Match
The Republic of Ireland Squad: Finland & Greece
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).
Looking Ahead
This match could be crucial for both teams in their quest to avoid relegation to League C. Ireland must find a way to improve their away form if they want to achieve this goal. With a new manager, a new system and a new generation of players, this match could be a chance for the Republic of Ireland to make a statement and show that they are capable of turning things around. However, they will need to overcome a tough challenge against a Finland team that has a strong home record and is looking to secure their first win of the campaign.
The Final Whistle
The match between Finland and the Republic of Ireland is a must-watch for fans of both teams. The game will be a test of Ireland’s ability to adapt to a new system under Hallgrimsson and a chance for Finland to build on their strong home record in the Nations League. It could also be a pivotal game for the future of both managers. Will Ireland finally find a win under Hallgrimsson, or will Finland secure their first win of the campaign?
