Italy’s late victory over third place Iceland may prove pivotal in Ireland’s EURO 2021 qualification push. The Ireland team continue to occupy second place, one point above Sweden and Iceland. Following a disappointing defeat at the hands of group leaders Italy last month, there was feeling that Jim Crawford’s men may have missed their best chance at qualifying.

However today’s match in Iceland has further heightened the importance of Ireland’s next two fixtures. A win against Iceland at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday, followed by a win in Luxembourg on Wednesday evening, should be enough to qualify for next year’s tournament.

Chance to make history by qualifying for EURO 2021

Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has been impressing whilst out on loan at Rochdale this season, and was close to getting his first senior call-up according to boss Stephen Kenny. He returns to the home of his boyhood club Shamrock Rovers on Sunday and will be hoping the Ireland team can emulate the success of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division champions.

𝘽𝙞𝙜 save from Gavin Bazunu late on yesterday #RAFC pic.twitter.com/tXKuW0o1cB

— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) October 25, 2020

Ireland U-21s have never qualified for a competition of this nature and Bazunu notes this as a “huge incentive” going into the final two games. But the focus remains on the Iceland game first.

Team News

Jim Crawford must continue without Adam Idah, Jayson Molumby and Dara O’Shea who have all made the step up to the senior side. Striker Jonathan Afolabi has also dropped out through injury. He is replaced by Accrington Stanley forward Ryan Cassidy.

On the flip side, Troy Parrott makes his return to the U-21 camp after recently overcoming an injury that has kept him on the sidelines for much of this season. Despite the good news, Millwall boss Gary Rowett is wary of Parrott’s fitness levels heading into the international fixtures.

Meanwhile, Bohemian’s winger Danny Grant ended his impressive breakthrough season with another goal.

No European football for @stpatsfc next season as they lost out @bfcdublin at Richmond Park #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/y9PFwp8slx

— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) November 10, 2020

Italy are odds on for automatic qualification. Five of the best-performing runners up from each group will also qualify for the competition. Ireland currently stand as the fifth best team in second place of their respective group, with a game in hand and a point behind Poland who have completed all of their games.

With the unlikely scenario of several teams below Ireland in the “runners-up group” winning their remaining fixtures, two wins should be enough to clinch qualification. Ireland’s faith is in their own hands.

Nevertheless, as many a footballer and manager would say – Gavin Bazunu included – the focus is on the next game. Ireland U-21 vs Iceland U-21 kicks off at 12.30pm on Sunday afternoon in Tallaght Stadium.

The full Ireland U-21 squad is listed below.

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Ed McGinty (Sligo Rovers)

Defenders: Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Darragh Leahy (Dundalk), Conor Masterson (Queens Park Rangers), Mark McGuinness (Ipswich Town, on loan from Arsenal), Danny McNamara (St Johnstone, on loan from Millwall), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Thomas O’Connor (Gillingham, on loan from Southampton), Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Luca Connell (Celtic), Will Ferry (Southampton), Jason Knight (Derby County), Danny Mandroiu (Bohemians), Connor Ronan (Grasshopper Zurich, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Anthony Scully (Lincoln City), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United)

Forwards: Ryan Cassidy (Accrington Stanley, on loan from Watford), Zack Elbouzedi (Lincoln City), Danny Grant (Bohemians), Joshua Kayode (Carlisle United, on loan from Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Troy Parrott (Millwall, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

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Preparations haven’t been straight forward for Crawford. A calamitous week for the senior squad resulted in five players missing the draw against Wales on Sunday afternoon due to COVID-19 protocols. Consequently, Jason Knight and Dara O’Shea have left the U-21 training camp and joined Stephen Kenny’s squad.

Crawford admits that his team’s “preparations have been scuppered”. Not only due to squad alterations, but also because he is in the dark of with regards to the team Italy will field. The Italians’ game against Iceland was postponed on Friday after two players tested positive for COVID-19.

Republic of Ireland U21 boss Jim Crawford is finetuning his side for battle in Italy tomorrow – but preparations have been challenging #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/dkfldVpnJH

— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) October 12, 2020

Nevertheless, there is still a selection of high quality players to choose from. Bohemians winger Danny Grant has been called up on the back of recent form. He replaces Shamrock Rovers’ Neil Farrugia who missed out through injury. Conor McCarthy of St. Mirren also steps in to replace Dara O’Shea. Premier League players Will Smallbone, Conor Coventry (see graphic below) and Michael Obafemi are all expected to feature.

MAKING AN IMPACT

Check out these monster stats from @conorcoventry so far in this #IRLU21 campaign

1⃣ day to #ITAIRL pic.twitter.com/C1Xt8QEh9z

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 12, 2020

Jim Crawford is not underestimating the significance of the fixture: “We know just how important this game is in terms of the Group but also in terms of our chances of qualifying for the finals tournament”. The winner of the group will qualify for the U-21 European Championship in 2021.

Republic of Ireland U-21 vs Italy U-21 kicks off at 4pm Irish time.

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