Spain, Italy press for single spot
DUBLIN: Ireland assistant coach Roy Keane has urged his side to relish the challenge of facing Wales forward Gareth Bale, while making sure the Real Madrid man has no room in which to operate in their 2018 World Cup qualifier tomorrow.
“Bale is a world class player,” Martin O’Neill’s assistant told reporters, adding that players of Bale’s ability always found a way to make an impact in a game.
“Players and coaches have tried to come up with a plan (to stop him) before, but top players figure it out and affect the game anyway. You want to play with the best and against the best, and we’ll have a chance on Friday because Bale is up there with some of the top players in the world.”
Bale, who was instrumental in Wales’ surprise run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals in France, has four goals so far in the qualifying campaign.
“The basic advice to any player... is to get to him (Bale) as quick as you can, don’t let him get his head up like he does at Real Madrid,” Keane added. “Don’t give him space in behind because the boy can run. Tackle him. Hit him... fairly.”
Ireland can extend their advantage over Wales to seven points with a win. – Reuters
TWO former World Cup winners in the same World Cup qualifying group at least makes the process of reaching the June 2018 finals in Russia more exciting, even if Spain and Italy are hardly over the moon about it.
They are currently locked together at the top of Group G with 10 points from four matches, making Friday’s home games against Israel and Albania almost must-wins if they want to keep qualification in their own hands.
Only the top teams from each of the nine European groups are guaranteed a spot at the World Cup, with the eight best second-placed teams playing off for the remaining four berths.
Spain or Italy can assume they will not be the worst second-placed team but both want to avoid the complications of a play-off.
Luckily for Spain coach Julen Lopetegui, he is likely to be at full strength for Israel’s visit to Gijon.
In his previous five matches in charge since taking over from Vicente del Bosque, he has been blighted by injuries to key players such as Diego Costa, Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba. All three are now fit and should start against the third-placed team in the group,
pictured,
who are just a point behind.
Lopetegui has four ever-presents in his squad with Vitolo, Koke, Sergio Busquets and David Silva having appeared in all four previous qualifiers. They all look set to start as Spain defend a 100 percent home record that has so far seen them put eight past Liechtenstein and four past FYR Macedonia.
“We know all about Israel’s potential,” Lopetegui said.
“We need to be very alert because they are only one point behind us and they are the most technically-gifted side in the group after ourselves.”
Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura may see that as a veiled dig at his side and will want the Azzurri to put on a show against the Albanians in Palermo.
The Italians look very inexperienced compared with some of their great teams of the past but Ventura hopes youthful exuberance will win through.
He has been forced to give a first call-up to 21-year-old Andrea Petagna, who has scored five goals this season for Atalanta, to replace injured Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini.
Germany, England and France also top their groups and also have should win.
World champions Germany have the trickiest encounter as they play in Azerbaijan on Sunday. RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner could feature following his first call-up, with Germany’s striker options again looking threadbare.
“Our aim is to get the World Cup ticket as soon as possible,” said coach Joachim Loew, whose side top Group C on 12 points. France lead Group A by three points from the Netherlands and Sweden have the chance to steal a march on their rivals by winning at lowly neighbours Luxembourg on Saturday. The Dutch have an awkward trip to Bulgaria and Sweden host Belarus.
Group F leaders England welcome Lithuania to Wembley on Sunday but are hampered by a number of injuries to strikers, meaning recalled 34-year-old Jermain Defoe may get a start.
European champions Portugal look in the biggest danger as they reach the halfway stage in qualification. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.They are only second in Group B, trailing Switzerland by three points ahead of hosting Hungary on Saturday. – dpa qualifiers they