O’NEILL: ROAD TO NOWHERE? NOT ANY MORE
vGroup C, 5pm
MICHAEL O’NEILL says Northern Ireland can end their away-day woes as they continue the push to qualify for Euro 2020.
Northern Ireland face Estonia today and Belarus on Tuesday in must-win matches. O’Neill’s side are without a win on the road since beating San Marino in September 2017, a run of seven games.
And the Northern Ireland boss said: “We’re a small nation and often find it difficult away from home.
“But if you look at the last two qualifying campaigns, our away record is quite strong, so we are much better equipped than we have been in the past.
“Historically, our away record is something different, but this is a different group of players.”
WALES have been warned to prepare for “hell” when they face World Cup finalists Croatia in the blazing sun at the hosts’ favourite ground.
Wales are set to face 30 degree heat at the dilapidated 17,000 capacity Gradski Stadium in Osijek, where Croatia are unbeaten.
The hosts, who lost the World Cup final to France last year, have nine victories from their 11 games there.
Wales boss Ryan Giggs has compared the challenge with infamously going to Galatasaray in Turkey with Manchester United in 1993.
United drew the Champions League second leg (above, right) 0-0 to go out on away goals amid a stormy tie after being greeted at the airport by a ‘Welcome to Hell’ banner. Giggs recalled: “The first time I went to Galatasaray as a player we were welcomed at the airport with a sign which said: ‘Welcome to hell’ and there were 5,000 people there. The home team are going to try to make it as difficult as possible for you.
“It’s our job to silence that and turn that into pressure on the home team.
“We recognise it’s an historic venue and we’re up against it.
“It is an old school stadium and has a big history.” Wales defender Chris Mepham, who has five caps, said: “It was a shock to the system hearing about Galatasaray from the manager.
“Hopefully it is not going to be like that.
“But we are expecting it to be a tough climate with intimidating fans.
“We need to try to look after the ball and not chase it for 90 minutes – that is going to be really important.
“We’re aware how hot and humid it is going to be and hydration is the most important thing. “We have to stay as focused as you can on the factors you can control.” Croatia did the double over Wales in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, including a 2-0 win in Live coverage on S4C from 1.30pm Osijek. Giggs knows the atmosphere and heat will make it tough against a team for whom Real Madrid star Luka Modric (left) pulls the strings.
He added: “It is always a challenge when you come away and face World Cup finalists with the likes of Modric, who has perhaps been one of the best players in the world in the last year or so, maybe longer.
“With the team they have got, it is a tough ask.
“We recognise the record they have got here and the team that they have.
“Croatia have got to the World Cup final and shown they’re a great team but we’ve got a team that got to the Euro 2016 semi-finals and have younger players pushing the older players to get into the starting line-up.”
Wales have been boosted by Spurs star Ben Davies being available after his hernia operation was rescheduled.