THE IRISH under 21 team face the eye of the storm in Bucharest evening when they meet a Romanian side with a 100 per cent record in their European Championship qualifying group.
Grounds for optimism in the wake of the resounding 4-0 win in Macedonia have been eroded by Mark Kennedy's suspension - though he may well have been promoted to the senior squad in any case - and the absence through injury of the Tottenham right wing back Stephen Carr. However, the skilful Tottenham strike Neale Fenn returns.
Although Romania's pedigree superior at this level, their 1-0 away win over Macedonia and Ian Evans' homework on them suggests the game between the sides may not be why the table suggests.
The Irish trail Romania by points with a game in hand. A draw would leave Ireland still in contention for next summer's finals.
"We're going for a win," said Evans yesterday. "What can you do against a team who have won all their matches. These are the team of the group but it's never been my policy to play for a draw. Against a team likely Romania you have to go for a win.
