The FAI await a security update on civil unrest in Yerevan ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s opening Nations League fixture in the Armenian capital this Saturday.
“We’ve not been briefed on that at the moment but I know there is a security delegation going over in advance,” said Ireland manager Stephen Kenny. “So they will brief us, I am sure, between now and then.
“Three or four are going to be on the ground, headed by Joe McGlue, the [FAI] head of security.”
McGlue’s advance party is followed by Kenny’s 26-man panel, minus the suspended Josh Cullen, on a chartered flight on Wednesday despite weeks of mass demonstrations focusing on the Armenian government’s peace treaty negotiations with Azerbaijan, which turned violent on Monday.
Local media reported two police officers were hospitalised and 111 people were arrested for protesting prime minister Nikol Pashinian handling of talks with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, following the 2020 war in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
As the Irish players, management and media observed during the 3-0 win in Baku last October, Azerbaijan openly claims victory in a conflict that was only concluded when Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a ceasefire agreement. Further anti-government gatherings are planned in Yerevan this week.
Ireland are due to land around the same time Ukraine and Scotland contest the World Cup play-off semi-final at Hampden Park.
“We may get to see it in Armenia,” said Kenny of the other two opponents in June. “It’s a game I’d love to be at. It’s interesting that they became direct opponents in the World Cup play-off and the Nations League.
“It is unusual [but] I think we’ve to focus on our own matches. There’s nothing we can do about it. If Ukraine win, for example, they play Sunday [against Wales in Cardiff] and then they play ourselves on the Wednesday. If Scotland win, then Ukraine have a week to prepare for us, and we’re in Yerevan.”
Travel is guaranteed to influence Kenny’s team selection with the 7,000 mile round trip and four games in 10 days concluding against Ukraine in Lodz, Poland on June 14th. Ireland and Everton captain Séamus Coleman, for example, is expected to be used sparingly and with Matt Doherty injured, Udinese-bound Festy Ebosele might get an opportunity at right wing back.
“We know we will be playing in 28 or 29 degrees, at five o’clock,” Kenny continued. “That is a challenge. So we need to make sure that we are ready and we are not thinking of matches in advance of that. Armenia is a big challenge for us and one we are looking forward to.”
Kenny raised expectations of Irish supporters and the FAI board when stating last year that the management’s ambition is to win this mini-tournament and thereby gain promotion to the elite level of European competition.
“We know the incentive that is there – the possibility of getting second seed for the European Championship draw, the fact that you can actually get into the top table of the Nations League or a possible play-off for the European Championships [2024]. So there is a lot of motivation there but we realise we have been drawn in a tough group; Ukraine, quarter-finalists at the Euros, a really exceptional team, Scotland are on a high as a nation at the moment and Armenia are improving of course.
“So, we have a tough group but it is certainly our ambition to win the group. That is what we are trying to achieve.”
Kenny bristled at the suggestion that such words could come back to haunt his team.
“Listen, I’ve always set targets. I’ve set the bar high in dressing rooms I’ve been in. I’ve always done that. There’s no guarantees. If we don’t win the group, it won’t be for the want of trying. We’re not favourites. We’re third favourites. I could easily just play it down. We’re on a good run of form. We’ve improved a lot. We’ve only one defeat in 12.
“It’s an emerging team. You feel the team is going to get better. We’ve the capacity to score goals. We’re defending better. We’re on a run of good defensive performances as well. So I feel that the team is getting better and there is a good connection between the experienced players and the younger players. You can really feel that in the group.”
