Republic of Ireland skipper Nathan Collins is relishing the prospect of having to beat Portugal and Hungary to make it to next summer's World Cup finals.
Ireland belatedly ignited their Group F campaign with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Armenia on Tuesday evening only to find when they came off the pitch that Hungary had snatched a late draw in Portugal to move a point clear of them.
Portugal, who beat the Republic 1-0 on Saturday with a last-gasp goal of their own, are due in Dublin next month before Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side head for Budapest, and while four points might be enough to clinch second place and a play-off, Collins knows it might not.
Asked if Ireland may have to win both games, the Brentford defender said: "Probably, I think. It doesn’t matter. When you bring Portugal to Aviva, I think the aim is to win the game no matter what.
"Hungary away, the last game of the campaign, anything can happen. But Portugal at home, it’s going to be an exciting game.
"We need to win. I’m comfortable enough with big teams coming here. I think we can perform against them. I think the fans get excited for it. I think it’s a great challenge."
Ireland embarked upon their fourth game of the campaign knowing a first victory was a must if they were to remain in contention for qualification, and once again, they made hard work of it against a side ranked 103rd in the world.
After an intensely forgettable first half, the game came to life when, minutes after Seamus Coleman had been booked for barging into keeper Henri Avagyan, Armenia skipper Tigran Barseghyan headbutted Finn Azaz and was promptly sent off.
Amid the raised temperature Evan Ferguson, who had seconds earlier been denied by the impressive Avagyan, headed home the only goal to lift his side from the foot of the table and ensure they have something for which to play in November.
Collins said: "Seamus lit it up a bit. He got us going and then he had a big tackle. It changes everything when the fans get behind you.
"They get riled up. It puts more pressure on them and maybe the emotions got the better of the Armenians, and that can happen.
"Listen, it’s not really us that changes, it’s the fans that can change. Something little like Seamus doing it can change everything."
Hallgrimsson will be without Ryan Manning and Jayson Molumby for the Portugal game after both picked up second yellow cards, but Josh Cullen will return from suspension as Ireland attempt to gain revenge for their heartbreak in Lisbon.
Collins said: "The squad is going to have to come into place. It’s natural. I think we have a decent squad. We have players that can come into their positions."
