WITH TWO draws and a defeat to show for their first three outings, the Republic of Ireland under-21s will make another attempt to secure their first win of the qualifying campaign when they take on Switzerland at the RSC in Waterford this evening.
Don Givens’ side again failed to capitalise on their ability to generate scoring chances at the weekend when they drew 1-1 with Georgia in Tallaght but the Ireland manager believes the results will start to go his players’ way.
“We have not been taking our chances in front of goal and that was evident again on Friday night. We went 1-0 ahead and should have gone on to score another two or three. But when you are only 1-0 ahead, you always run the risk of letting the opposition back into the match and that is exactly what happened. But I think that if we keep playing as we are the results will start to come.”
Owen Garvan will captain the side again but Stephen Gleeson is suspended having picked up a booking at the weekend and James Berrett has returned to Huddersfield with an injury. Brendan Maloney (knee) will be replaced by Cork City’s Kevin Long.
-BRAY WANDERERS boss Eddie Gormley will be hoping that his side can build on Friday night's inspired late comeback against Cork City as they head to the Showgrounds this evening to take on Sligo Rovers.
The visitors will be without Derek Foran who limped out of the 3-2 win with a groin strain while both Gary McCabe and Dave Webester are reckoned to be doubtful due to ankle problems.
Rovers boss Paul Cook will again be without Owen Morrison ad Richard Brush but Romuald Boco is likely to start having returned from international duty.
– Emmet Malone
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