Heimir Hallgrimsson Urges Ireland to Seize World Cup Qualifying Chance

Heimir Hallgrimsson, the head coach of the Republic of Ireland, has issued a stern reminder to his team ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Hungary on October 14, 2023. With aspirations to secure their first World Cup qualification in nearly 25 years, Hallgrimsson emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in their campaign.

The Irish squad faces a significant setback as forward Troy Parrott will be sidelined due to a medial ligament injury, missing both the matches in October and the previous one in September. Parrott, who plays for AZ Alkmaar, had already contributed ten goals this season, making his absence a considerable blow to Ireland’s attacking options.

Despite this challenge, Hallgrimsson remains optimistic about the talent within his squad. He noted that Evan Ferguson will also miss training due to attending his grandfather’s funeral but stressed that other forwards are prepared to step up.

The coach is particularly wary of Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, who demonstrated his set-piece abilities with a stunning 30-yard free-kick goal against Arsenal. Hallgrimsson stated, “We shouldn’t give away dead-ball situations in dangerous spaces; that is more like how we should defend.” He acknowledged that Szoboszlai is not the only threat, highlighting the quality of other players in the Hungarian squad.

To counter Hungary’s potential set-piece threats, Hallgrimsson intends to capitalize on Ireland’s own strengths. Ryan Manning, who has recently emerged as a key player, has found the net from two free-kicks in just four appearances for Southampton this season. With Robbie Brady unavailable due to injury, Manning is expected to take on a more prominent role in the upcoming match.

Hallgrimsson expressed confidence in Manning’s abilities, stating, “He has taken some of our set pieces. We have options and a big threat in set pieces, and that’s what we want to showcase on Saturday and against Armenia.” He plans to focus on set-piece strategies in training leading up to the match.

Manning has gained valuable experience over the past four games, having previously been absent from Hallgrimsson’s initial selections. The coach elaborated on Manning’s inclusion, noting, “His versatility is important as well, so if he is playing higher up, we know his defensive duties are really easy.”

As Ireland prepares for this pivotal encounter, Hallgrimsson’s message is clear: the team must harness their skills and seize every opportunity to secure a place in the World Cup.