Saturday, 18 November
EURO 2024 QUALIFYING GROUP B
Netherlands v Republic of Ireland, Johan Cruyff Arena, 7.45pm.
TV
Watch live coverage on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm.
RADIO
Listen to live commentary on RTÉ 2fm, with a Game On Special getting underway at 7.30pm.
ONLINE
Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News App.
WEATHER
Occasional rain and drizzle is expected in Amsterdam around kick-off time. Earlier in the afternoon will be breezy with wind gusts of around 26 km/h, with periods of rain throughout the day.
LAST GLIMMER OF HOPE ENDED
Much to the chagrin of permutations enthusiasts, Ireland's chances of achieving a Euro 2024 play-off berth are now officially over.
Slovakia’s 4-2 win over Iceland in Bratislava on Thursday finally ended Ireland’s remote hopes of a backdoor route to the tournament in Germany next summer, rendering the Dutch meeting the deadest of dead rubbers from an Irish point of view.
With a game to play in Group B, Stephen Kenny’s side sit fourth out of five teams in the standings, and that is where they will finish no matter what happens on Saturday, or on Tuesday when the group concludes as Ireland host New Zealand in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium.
That’s not to say that a victory away to the Netherlands wouldn’t go down as a memorable one, and one which Kenny would see as the perfect swansong to his reign.
FAREWELL FOR KENNY?
While there has been no official confirmation that Kenny will be clearing his desk after the New Zealand friendly, all signs point to the Tallaght native being very much at the end of the road.
Kenny’s contract is up at the end of the Euro 2024 campaign, and it looks like his time in charge will end without any major tournament qualification.
Saturday will likely be his last chance to pick up an away win against a strong nation, and will allow him the opportunity to thank Ireland’s loyal traveling fans for their support during his time in charge.
Whether you’ve been 'Kenny In’ or ‘Kenny out,’ this isn’t the ending that anyone wanted, but Kenny can at least point to some positive foundations for the next man in charge.
The former Dundalk boss has given competitive international debuts to 23 players since he took over from Mick McCarthy in April 2020, and that number could increase to 24 if Andrew Moran plays against the Netherlands.
Among that number, the likes of Gavin Bazunu, Nathan Collins and Josh Cullen are regulars in the team, while Evan Ferguson is rightly seen as one of European football’s brightest young talents.
SIGNING OFF WITH AN "EXTRAORDINARY" WIN
Kenny’s time with Ireland is dotted with heart-felt rallying cries whenever the nation has been due to face one of European football’s heavyweights.
On occasion, these words of encouragement have led to strong performances, such as when Ireland led 1-0 against Portugal in Faro only for a late Cristiano Ronaldo brace to turn the scoreline around.
There was a spirited 0-0 against the same opposition in Dublin, and Ireland certainly didn’t embarrass themselves in either of their defeats to France during the current campaign.
As Kenny’s detractors repeatedly state though, eventually it boils down to winning, and in keeping with his naturally positive outlook, that’s what the manager intends to achieve in Amsterdam on Saturday night.
"People might doubt the possibility, but the objective is to try to go to Holland and get an extraordinary win out there, and all the players to make their mark, individually and collectively in Amsterdam," Kenny told reporters earlier this week.
"All of the games we’ve played against the top teams, whether that be Portugal home and away, Serbia home and away, Scotland home and away, Ukraine away and definitely France and Holland at home.
"They are really top teams - the centenary game against Belgium - they have been fiercely contested games of football.
"We come out on the tight margins, we've drawn some of them [3 - Portugal, Serbia, Ukraine]. Obviously, we beat Scotland.
"I don't feel we were far away in those games. From my point of view it is about improving some of the small details, some of the goals we conceded and being more clinical when we create chances."
With the pro-Kenny brigade now resigned to losing their man, they would love nothing more to see him sign off with a win in his final competitive game.
We’re not sure those in the ‘Kenny out’ camp would begrudge him that either.
PLAYERS' BACKING TELLS A STORY
One thing that has been consistent amid the Kenny culture wars is that his players have regularly come out to bat for him in front of the press.
Jamie McGrath was no different this week, as he heaped praise on the man who brought him to Dundalk and gave him his international debut.
"The gaffer has been a massive part of my career," said the now-Aberdeen man.
"He signed me when I was 20 for Dundalk and gave me the opportunity to go on and win medals there.
"We were part of a very successful team there and obviously the gaffer left in my last year to come here.
"He showed a lot of faith in me and picked me when maybe he could have picked other people. He's been quite consistent about picking me as well, which is a big confidence boost for myself.
"He gives you that belief that you can go toe to toe with some of the best teams. Portugal away was my first competitive game and we went toe to toe with them, we played good stuff on the night and that's carried on throughout the campaign, up to France.
"And hopefully Holland now on Saturday. But yeah, he does put a lot of belief in players, especially me as well coming in, so he's been a big part."
INJURY NEWS
Stephen Kenny revealed that Chiedozie Ogbene has been carrying two injuries, struggling with an ankle injury as well as a tight hamstring picked up two weeks' ago. As a result the Luton players will miss the game.
Evan Ferguson, however, is fit enough to start, with Jamie McGrath also available for selection.
