Ireland's chances of pulling off another shock win in today's match against New Zealand have taken a blow over the weekend as injury and illness begin to limit selection options.
Andre Botha, the all-rounder, is almost certain to miss the game with a hamstring injury, and opening bowler Dave Langford-Smith was receiving treatment for a upset stomach.
Botha's role in this tournament has been to suffocate the scoring rate in the middle overs, between 20 and 40. His absence will be keenly felt.
According to analysis by Cricinfo, the cricket website, New Zealand at this World Cup have been devastatingly effective at scoring runs in this critical period of the game.
The Kiwi middle order, and Scott Styris in particular, have scored at more than a run a ball, and kept wickets in hand, creating a launching pad for the final 10 overs. Botha's inswinging medium pace has proved very difficult to score against in the middle overs. His eight-over spell of 2 for 5 against Pakistan was a deciding factor in that victory.
This will add pressure on the other Ireland support bowling, a role shared in this tournament by Kyle McCallan, captain Trent Johnston, Kevin O'Brien and the Mooney brothers, John and Paul.
For one man in particular, the game will be a challenge of a different sort: it will test family loyalties. Paul Mooney's wife is a New Zealander and Mooney himself has spent time in the country playing club cricket.
"It would be nice to beat the Kiwis because my wife and all her family in New Zealand will be watching, so there is some special interest there," he says.
"I suppose there will be divided loyalties but I'm sure she will be happy whichever way the result goes. Her family will obviously want New Zealand to win but I'm sure they would be happy to see us give them a good game.
"And if I can swap a shirt with one of their players and get a few photos my wife will be happy enough."
Johnston meanwhile claims the team have taken heart from Bangladesh's shock 67-run win against South Africa.
"We have surprised several people with the way we play. And we would certainly like to do what they have done," he said.
"We believe that we have done well and can hold our heads up. The lads are quite keen on enhancing our reputation with a competitive game against New Zealand.
"We have been improving and we have learnt a lot. We need to continue moving up and a good performance . . . will certainly help."
New Zealand coach John Bracewell admitted his team will be taking some lessons from South Africa's defeat and believes the surprise result was a warning that all teams in the World Cup must be respected.
"Respect is a key word that we have maintained. We must respect the opposition and the conditions at all times and I think that South Africa failed to do that," said Bracewell.
New Zealand have won both their Super Eight games so far, against the West Indies and Bangladesh, and have six points going into the game. But Bracewell insists they will be taking Ireland as seriously as any other team.
"We have been scouting them and have had people watching them. We also have video tapes of their games. That is how much we respect them," he said.
"They want the same result as any other team and therefore the intensity and passion will always be there."
Bracewell said New Zealand have been taking each game at a time. "We can't look too far ahead because that could put us in trouble. So, at the moment, we will focus on getting these two points from Ireland and then see what happens after."
Bracewell said he was happy with the output of Shane Bond, who has been the outstanding fast bowler of the tournament.
"We have a number of players who stand out, Shane is one, there is Daniel (Vettori), (Scott) Styris has done well. But we are particularly pleased that we have an emerging pack of young players who will be beneficial to the next generation."
