Listen to Cyprus v Rep of Ireland live on RTÉ Radio 1 this Saturday. We will also have a live text matchtracker on RTÉ.ie.
Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne knows the pressure is already weighing heavy on the side after just one match of their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
Dunne insists Ireland have to beat Cyprus in Nicosia on Saturday to have any hope of reaching the finals in Austria and Switzerland.
The Cypriots would appear to be easy pickings after a 6-1 defeat to Slovakia in their opening game, yet centre-back Dunne is aware that is far from the case.
Exactly a year ago Ireland found themselves needing to beat Cyprus to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
They did so by a slender 1-0 margin, but only following a first-half battering after Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott had scored a sixth-minute opener.
Ireland were ultimately indebted to goalkeeper Shay Given, who made a string of stunning saves - including one from the penalty spot after Dunne had conceded the foul - to spare his side's blushes.
Manchester City skipper Dunne knows Ireland cannot afford to slip up, particularly as they already trail Germany and next Wednesday's opponents the Czech Republic by six points in Group D, albeit having played a game less.
'That was a difficult night for us a year ago, with the focus on a game with Switzerland a few days later,' recalled 27-year-old Dunne.
'It was a case of, "Oh, we'll beat Cyprus and then we'll see what happens against Switzerland".
'We managed to get the early goal, but then after that we didn't play at all. We became complacent as we probably thought we would get a hatful.
'Of course, my obvious recollections of that game are giving away the penalty, and then Shay making a brilliant save.
'He was outstanding that night. He saw us through to give us a chance against the Swiss.
'Overall, it was a bad night, a bad performance. Nobody can look back on that game with any pride, apart from Shay.'
It is inconceivable for Ireland to play as badly again, but Dunne warned: 'It's very possible we could.
'Just because Cyprus were hammered recently, that counts for nothing. We know from our own past experience they are not a soft touch, so there will be no complacency this time.
'If we are to have any hope of qualifying this is a game we have to win - and if we did, we would take another bad performance.'
