Preview: Joachim Löw hoping to earn qualification with a win over Ireland
A victory will guarantee Germany a place in the World Cup to be held in Brazil next year. Should Joachim Löw’s fail to earn maximum points from the game, their fate will then be decided in the final match against Sweden, who gave the Germans a run for their money when the two sides squared off last year in October. A 93rd minute equalizer from Rasmus Elm rounded up an excellent come back from the Swedes as the match finished 4-4.
But Germany will fancy their chances against a Republic of Ireland side who they thrashed 6-1 last year at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Another thing which will be to Germany’s advantage is the departure of legendary manager Giovanni Trapattoni who after failing to make Ireland qualify for the World Cup parted ways with the Republic of Ireland national team.
Interim manager Noel King who took over the post following Trapattoni’s departure has already made significant changes to the side. Former Sunderland man Andy Reid will return to the international stage after a five year long absence. The 31 year old fell out of favour with former manager Trapattoni, but interim manager Noel King has included him in the squads to face Germany and Kazakhstan.
Also back in the international fold are Darron Gibson, Anthony Stokes and Kevin Doyle who had all been previously ignored.
However King faces a herculean task being plagued with a number of injuries as he faces a side which has been deemed as one of the favourites to win the World Cup next year.
The most notable of the absentees is Hull City winger Robbie Brady who has been his club’s stand out performer so far in the season. Also absent from the squad are Stoke striker Jon Walters and Sunderland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood. Ireland’s second choice keeper Darren Randolph has also been ruled out with a shoulder injury and will be replaced former Charlton keeper Rob Elliot.
Ireland will also be without their influential duo Richard Dunne and John O’Shea who will miss the clash with Germany through suspension.
Bayer Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling was expected to earn a recall to the German squad for the first time since 2010 with both Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez falling to injuries. However Bundesliga’s top scorer last season has once again failed to make the cut, however there is place for Kiessling’s teammate Sidney Sam who has been in incredible form this season.
Both Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gotze make a return to the squad despite carrying injuries, but Joachim Low has highlighted the importance of having the Bayern Munich duo in the squad.
"Bastian is a very important player for us given his leadership qualities," said Low.
"Mario has been out for a long time and he now needs match-practice and to get back into a rhythm and I'm very pleased to have them both back."
Also making a return to the squad is Hamburg full back Marcell Jansen who was left out of the squad in last month’s matches against Austria and the Faroe Islands.
Germany’s Bender twins Lars and Sven will also miss the match with thigh and groin injuries respectively, whereas Dortmund star Marco Reus will also miss the match with an ankle injury.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, Live scores
Watch Germany vs Republic of Ireland live on Friday, October 11, 2013:
In Canada at 14:45 EDT on: Sportsnet One
In USA at 14:45 ET on: Watch ESPN, ESPN2, Galavision
Fans in other parts of the world can watch the match live on their local channels. Those in Germany can watch the match live on ARD Das Erste.
For complete details of match listings and live scores, visit the Germany vs Republic of Ireland match page.
