Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Republic of Ireland play host to Finland at their Aviva Stadium in a highly-anticipated UEFA Nations League game. The Boys in Green aim to recover from a 2-0 loss to Greece and they are surely capable of beating the Finns on home soil. Captain Seamus Coleman returns from injury, with Norwich City centre-back Shane Duffy being recalled as well. Luton Town defender Mark McGuinness could play some part in Thursday’s clash after missing the last Nations League game with injury.
The visitors, on the other hand, aim to overtake Ireland in third place in Group 2, but seeing that Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we are tempted to place our bets on the Irish. Speaking of the away team, Minnesota United Teemu Pukki made the cut as his team Minnesota United will not be in action in the MLS this weekend.
Highlighted Team (Ireland):
Competing as an independent entity since 1953, Republic of Ireland have struggled to match the world’s best national teams ever since, although they did achieve several respectable results on the road. Their best ever result, the 1990 World Cup quarter-final, was achieved with a big smile from Lady Luck seeing that the Irish reached the last eight without winning a single match.
They have since reached the last 16 stage at the 1994 and 2002 tournaments, while only qualifying for three European Championship finals (1988, 2012, 2016). The Irish were in the top 10 of the FIFA Rankings in 1993 and 1994, but have failed to repeat the success in the next twenty odd years, and it appears they are no closer to bridging the gap behind European powerhouses.
Robbie Keane holds the record for most national team caps and goals at the same time, having bagged 67 in 143 appearances, whereas Niall Quinn, Steve Staunton, Damien Duff, Tony Cascarino and Don Givens are some of the other star players.