DESSIE BAKER is likely to be assigned the task of replacing the suspended Neale Fenn in this morning's play-off game against Ghana in Kuala Lumpur (10.30 a.m. Irish time).
Completing the squad's daily training session before a thunderstorm broke over the city, Irish manager Brian Kerr said that he had yet to decide on his forward line.
Yet, the indications are that the vacancy will go to Baker, who made a brief appearance in Wednesday's semi-final against Argentina after Fenn had been withdrawn in the 74th minute.
Otherwise, the team may be the same as that which competed so admirably in midweek. The indications are that UCD's Aidan Lynch may also play at some stage.
Kerr's players have a score to settle with Ghana who, they feel, got all the breaks when they beat Ireland 2-1 at the start of the qualifying series in Alor Setar. At that point the Africans, winners of the World Under-17 championship two years ago, looked capable of going all the way to victory here, only to be derailed by a 'golden goal' from Uruguay in extra time of Wednesday's semi-final.
Kerr suspects that Wednesday's defeat has stripped the Africans of much of their verve and running power.
The Irish players, too, are somewhat less than sprightly after six games in the space of just 15 days. The incentive of third-place medals, allied to the painful memories of that opening game in Alor Setar, may just be enough to drive them to victory.
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