LAST UPDATE | 10 Sep 2023
MATT DOHERTY AND JAMES McClean return to the Irish starting line-up for tonight’s do-or-die Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium. [KO 7.45pm; Live on RTE Two]
Doherty missed Thursday’s defeat in Paris through suspension, but returns at right wing-back, with Alan Browne retained but shifted into midfield in place of Jayson Molumby. McClean, meanwhile, starts at left wing-back, in place of the injured Enda Stevens.
Otherwise, it’s as you were: Gavin Bazunu is in goals with Nathan Collins, Shane Duffy, and John Egan among the back three. Josh Cullen will partner Browne in midfield, while the front three are Chiedozie Ogbene, Adam Idah, and Jason Knight.
Sinclair Armstrong is named in the 23 after his call-up on Friday, but fellow late addition Jonathan Afolabi doesn’t make the cut.
Matt Doherty and Andrew Omobamidele return to the matchday squad, having been absent for the 2-0 defeat to France in Paris.
Injured duo Mark Travers and Darragh Lenihan miss out, with Max O’Leary drafted in as goalkeeper cover.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗫𝗜 | Ireland v Netherlands
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 10, 2023
Matt Doherty & James McClean come into the starting line-up as Alan Browne shifts into midfield with an unchanged front-three 🇮🇪
Huge night at the Aviva, get behind the team, 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 💚 pic.twitter.com/ljcEb2LaAr
Meanwhile, the Dutch have made three changes from the side that beat Greece 3-0 on Thursday. They retain a back three, but Lutsharel Geertruida is injured, and so is replaced by Mathias de Ligt. Virgil van Dijk captains the side in the heart of the back three, with Nathan Ake fit to start despite a hamstring complaint.
Marten de Roon drops out of the midfield and is replaced by Mats Wieffer of Feyenoord, partnering Frenkie de Jong. Denzel Dumfries and Daley Blind are the wing backs, while Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons again form part of the front three.
Wout Weghorst, however, drops out in favour of Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen, who will offer more pace in behind the Irish back-line, who will have to push up in search of goals at some point.
