Heimir Hallgrímsson has cautioned his Ireland team to beware of the type of Armenian counter-attack that began the demise of his predecessor.
Eduard Spertsyan arrowed the only goal of the opening Uefa Nations League game in Yerevan in 2022 to rip asunder Stephen Kenny’s grand aspiration of topping the pool.
The attacking midfielder – currently captaining Russian title holders Krasnodar – also scored in the return match in Dublin four months later.
His goal helped Armenia claw back a two-goal deficit before Robbie Brady helped avoid another embarrassing result by sealing the 3-2 win with a stoppage time penalty.
Spertsyan will again be the go-to man for the pool’s lowest seeds, eager to put Saturday’s 5-0 home hammering by Portugal behind them.
Ireland come into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw against Hungary, the first time since 1982 they’ve cancelled out a two-goal deficit in a competitive fixture.
Hallgrímsson, speaking before his side’s training session in 30 degrees heat, didn’t namecheck the 25-year-old but referred to the threat they pose on the break.
“Armenia have good individuals that can create problems on their own,” the Icelander said when asked about the strengths of the team ranked 105 in the world.
“They are a fast counter-attacking team, whose biggest strength is in transition.
“We need to be as good as we were second half against Hungary in defence – Don’t give them spaces when they win the ball and try to win it as quickly back as possible.
“I think that is the thing I would be mostly afraid of when playing them here in Yerevan.
Chiedozie Ogbene during a Republic of Ireland training session at the AFF Technical Center Academy in Yerevan, Armenia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
“They will have more power in the beginning because they had an extra day to recover.
“We’ve conceded early goals in the last three games and Armenia probably fancy that chance in the beginning, so we need to be ready from kick-off.”
Ireland lost Sammie Szmodics, a starter on Saturday, to injury but otherwise have a full squad to choose from. The exertions of Saturday’s 97 minutes, coupled with the five hour flight, will be taken into consideration when it comes to selection.
“No player will ask to start if he is not ready to do it,” asserted the manager.
“We have honest players in our squad. They are telling us the truth about how they are feeling and we see that as well in the training session. Our squad looks fit and nobody is injured.”
Ireland’s squad trained away from the match venue – the Republican Stadium – at the Armenian association’s academy pitches. Sensibly, their stretches were conducted in the shade from the baking afternoon sun.
Temperatures will be cooler at the local kick-off time of 8pm.