While the Republic of Ireland senior side feel that their qualifier against Armenia tonight is a must win, the Under 21s find themselves in a similar situation.

Just a matter of minutes after Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men have hopefully completed their mission in Yerevan to keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico next summer alive, Jim Crawford’s young Boys in Green will be kicking off against Andorra in Tallaght (7.30pm).

The only difference other than the fact that the U21s will be roared on by a home crowd in Dublin is that they are bidding to reach the European Championships across Albania and Serbia in 2027, rather than a World Cup in 2026.

They are also in a six-team group rather than four meaning the margin for error is slightly greater but even still, they cannot afford to slip up against Andorra if they are to qualify for their first-ever major tournament at this level.

Bigger challenges lie in wait when they take on the likes of Kazakhstan, Slovakia and a hugely talented England – the back-to-back U21 European champions – home and away, meaning they cannot afford to drop points at home to an Andorra side who have lost all three games in Group D to date, conceding seven goals and scoring 0 in the process.

Ireland, on the other hand, have only played one game so far and earned a hard-fought three points in Moldova as Mason Melia’s double ensured they came from a goal down to spare their blushes last Thursday night.

And speaking afterwards, manager Jim Crawford hailed his side’s character as well as highlighting areas they need to improve so they can make it two wins out of two.

“There’s lots to take from the game, lots of positives but lots of negatives that we need to tighten up on,” said Crawford.

“I think one thing that we can say about this group is character. I can’t fault the work rate or effort from any of the players, to start the campaign with three points is fantastic.

“The spirit of the players is never in question. Do I think we could have moved the ball better? Yeah, I certainly do.

“Did I see patterns that we worked on coming out? I saw bits of them, but it was just that final bit that didn’t come off, the execution.

“But look, we knew coming here was going to be a stiff test and to leave with three points, it’s very pleasing.”