Pico Lopes will take a step back in time before he faces Saudi Arabia in Cape Verde’s decisive World Cup game in Houston tonight - and hope that history repeats itself.
Lopes was watching in the classroom as a young primary school student back in 2002 when Damien Duff scored the third and final goal as Ireland defeated the Saudis to book their place in the second phase of the World Cup finals.
A win for Cape Verde tonight will guarantee their passage to the knockout out phase after those amazing draws against Spain and Uruguay while a draw may be enough to ease them through to the last 32.
But, as RTE Sport reports, Lopes will be looking to capture that 2002 spirit when he vividly remembers the TV being wheeled into the classroom for that Saudi game.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing now if history repeated itself and that was the sort of win that took us to the next phase,” said Lopes.
“It’s a great opportunity for us and we can’t get drawn in thinking that’s going to be an easy game or a foregone conclusion. I think Saudi Arabia are a really good team.
“They have some real quality in the side that can hurt you. We won’t be getting carried away yet. Just focus on the game at hand and hopefully we can get it done.”
The report adds that Cape Verde coach Bubista is adamant his side will not be overawed by the occasion tonight.
“We are very happy to be able to participate in the World Cup,” he said. “Football belongs to everyone. It does not belong only to wealthier countries.
“Saudi Arabia are a very organised team. They have great transitions, it is a difficult opponent, but we will rely on our organisation. We have confidence in our plan.”
The Shamrock Rovers players will be staying after their game against Galway United tonight to watch their team-mate Pico Lopes in World Cup action against Saudi Arabia.
And defender Lee Grace told the Irish Sun that Lopes and Cape Verde will prove their is more to the Dubliner’s World Cup story than his LinkedIn starting point that has now made headlines all over the world.
Grace said: “The LinkedIn story is blown up, but besides all the stuff off the pitch he’s been unbelievable on it. It’s obviously easy to say with the rose tinted glasses on because he’s our teammate, he’s Irish or whatever.
“But he has been unbelievable and long may he continue, hopefully now the next game and hopefully into the knockouts. If he keeps them levels up and you never know they could cause an upset somewhere down the line.
“I’m so proud watching him. And, to be fair, he’s probably been Cape Verde’s best player in the both games. He’s potentially the best player in the field in the both games he’s played, especially defensively.
“It’s just unbelievable, I’m so happy for him. Everyone has said it already, the gaffer has said it many times, he’s worked tirelessly up until now so he deserves everything he gets.”
The Irish Examiner has revealed that the FAI will hold an EGM called by its Board on July 8th to discuss the Nations League clashes with Israel that have caused so much friction within Irish football.
John Fallon’s exclusive story, since confirmed by a letter from the FAI to all AGM members, also states that a motion to be balloted upon at the meeting is unlikely to be a boycott of the Israel fixtures.
Fallon states: “Initially the motion was deemed out of order due to questions around FAI membership and it now appears that the board will put their own motion to the floor seeking affirmation of their position.”
Shelbourne will turn to the stats as they scour Europe for a replacement for sacked manager Joey O’Brien who left Tolka Park on Thursday, just over 48 hours before Saturday night’s Premier Division game away to Sligo.
The Irish Independent has dubbed the managerial search as a reliance on Moneyball data and suggests the Reds could unveil the first continental manager in their history.
Stephen Rice, Jim Crawford, Kevin Doherty and Gavin Peers are among the names linked with the job.
