- Darren Randolph's Republic of Ireland host Wales in a FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday evening
- A victory in Dublin would put the Boys in Green on course to qualify for Russia 2018
- Randolph says Ireland would love to emulate Wales, who reached the UEFA Euro 2016 semi-finals
Darren Randolph says Republic of Ireland would love to emulate Wales and make a big impact at a major tournament.
The West Ham United goalkeeper helped the Boys in Green to reach the Round of 16 of UEFA Euro 2016, but Wales went all the way to the semi-finals at their first tournament in 58 years.
Ireland host Wales in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Dublin on Friday evening, with a win for the home side putting them on course to reach the fourth finals in their history.
“It’s going to be a good game,” Randolph told West Ham TV. “Every game seems to be a big one recently, but this is another big game. We’re sitting top of the group now, so if we can get a win in that one, it’s one step closer to the World Cup in Russia.
“A win would put pressure on the other teams and you always want to take points off the other teams who are going to be there or thereabouts, and Wales are there or thereabouts in the group.
“If we can take points off them on Friday then it will set us up nicely for the rest of our games.”
A win would put pressure on the other teams and you always want to take points off the other teams who are going to be there or thereabouts, and Wales are there or thereabouts in the group
Darren Randolph
As Randolph points out, Ireland are in a strong position as they seek qualification for their first World Cup finals since they travelled to Japan and South Korea in 2002.
The Boys in Green have ten points from their opening four Group D qualifiers, with four of their remaining six to be played at home in Dublin – starting with Wales on Friday.
Martin O’Neill’s side also host Serbia, Austria and Moldova at home, while they travel to Georgia in September before ending their campaign in Wales in October.
“Most of the remaining games are at home, so we have to fancy our chances,” he confirmed.
So, can Ireland emulate Wales and make a big splash in Russia next year?
“When we were trying to qualify for Euro 2016, with three or four games to go, we were fourth in the group and knew we had to win all our games to qualify from a tough group, which we did,” he recalled.
“We then had to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off, which were tough games, and we did. We then went to the Euros and we had the toughest group with Italy, Sweden and Belgium and we got out of that group. Then, obviously, France knocked us out and they went all the way to the final, so we’ve done very well.
“We’re top of the qualifying group now against Austria, Serbia and Wales and have had good results against Serbia and Austria, and now we have Wales up next. Everyone is confident and playing well at their clubs, so there is no reason why we can’t go out there and play with no fear and a bit of freedom and see how far we can go and where we can get to.”
Republic of Ireland versus Wales will be screened live in the UK by Sky Sports 1, with kick-off at the Aviva Stadium at 7.45pm.