WHAT'S HAPPENING?
FIFA U17 World Cup last 16: Switzerland v Republic of Ireland, Doha, Qatar, today at 2.45pm.
TV
Live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 2.30pm. Joanne Cantwell will be joined by Alan Cawley and Stephen Kelly in the studio, with commentary from Cathal Mullaney and Graham Gartland.
ONLINE
Live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app.
WEATHER
It's forecast to be around 30C come kick-off in Doha.
Young Boys in Green dreaming big
Colin O'Brien's gutsy Under-17s are into the last 16 of the World Cup thanks to an epic victory against Canada last Friday afternoon.
It was a tense contest that culminated in a remarkably spiky penalty shootout.
Canadian keeper Jonathan Ransom traded insults with Ireland players throughout, but it was O'Brien's charges who had the last laugh when Shamrock Rovers stopper Alex Noonan saved Elijah Roche's effort to settle it. In total, 20 spot-kicks were taken.
The game had finished 1-1 in Doha, Michael Noonan putting Ireland ahead before substitute Sergei Kozlovskiy volleyed Canada level late on. It was a draining affair; and it'll be a big ask for this team to go again as they face into their fifth match in 13 days, particularly in 30-degree heat.
However, there's such positive momentum behind this side now that they'll feel anything is possible.
We're now in dare-to-dream territory, and after the weekend Irish football fans have just had, there'll be high hopes across the country for another fairytale.
Ireland well aware of Swiss quality
In September, Ireland fell to a 3-0 loss against Switzerland, with Mladen Mijalovic, Iliija Despotovic and Adrien Llukes goals doing the damage.
Last month they met again in a pre-World Cup friendly in Spain, drawing 1-1. Ade Solanke headed home in the 90th minute to cancel out Jeremie Barererwa's penalty.
O'Brien's charges made plenty of chances in that game and will take a lot of heart from it. They'll fancy troubling their opponents again in Doha, though the stakes are considerably higher.
Switzerland topped Group F by beating Ivory Coast 4-1 and Mexico 3-1. They got past Egypt 3-1 in the last 32 and certainly have some slick operators (keep an eye out for dangerous duo Mijalovic and Jill Stiel).
The Swiss are loaded with creative talent, however, they'll be braced a for a real battle here as Ireland look to sustain the momentum they've worked so hard to generate.
Injury news: Ireland have no fresh worries. Max Kovalevskis suffered a head injury against Uzbekistan 10 days ago and remains out as as he follows FIFA's return to play policy.
Player's view
Finn Sherlock: "It's very positive in the camp at the minute. Everyone is buzzing. We’re enjoying the moment but it’s all focus on Switzerland now and another chance for us to do the country proud.
"We feel if we can perform we can give anybody a game, obviously they’re very good opposition, but we have full confidence in ourselves.
"If you look at the last few days, for everybody, it has been brilliant, but if you look at how much it means to us and the staff and the fans who have come, who have been amazing, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and you have to live in the moment and enjoy it."
Head coach's view
Colin O'Brien: "It'll be an interesting game with Switzerland. We played them in September, we played them in October, both teams know each other inside out. But as I said, this will be two really good teams at each other."
Republic of Ireland World Cup results/fixtures
Wednesday 5 November: Panama 1-4 Republic of Ireland
Saturday 8 November: Republic of Ireland 2-1 Uzbekistan
Tuesday 11 November: Republic of Ireland 0-0 Paraguay
Friday 14 November: Republic of Ireland 1-1 Canada (Ireland win 9-8 on penalties)
Tuesday 18 November - Last 16: Switzerland vs Republic of Ireland
Friday 21 November: Quarter-finals
Monday 24 November: Semi-finals
Thursday 27 November: Final
Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad
Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Corey Cummins-Sheridan (Finn Harps).
Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Vinnie Leonard (Dundalk), Ade Solanke (FC Lorient), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Finn Sherlock (Hoffenheim), Sean Spaight (Dundalk).
Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Ramon Martos (UD Almeria), Grady McDonnell (Club Brugge), Kian McMahon-Brown (Burnley), Goodness Ogbonna (UCD), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers).
Forwards: Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Brody Lee (Cork City), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Jaden Umeh (SL Benfica).
Watch Republic of Ireland v Switzerland in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup on Tuesday from 2.30pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport.
