Sport

Kerr to shuffle things up front

Having lost their opening game 1-0 to the hosts in Lanzhot on Sunday, it's win or bust for Brian Kerr's Republic of Ireland under…

By PAUL BUTTNER
Tue Oct 17 2000 - 01:00

Having lost their opening game 1-0 to the hosts in Lanzhot on Sunday, it's win or bust for Brian Kerr's Republic of Ireland under-18s when they meet Moldova in the second match at this UEFA qualifying tournament in Hustopece this afternoon.

Despite giving the ball away too cheaply at times, and lacking a little composure compared to the Czechs, Kerr was pleased with much of his side's performance, but knows they must be more decisive against a skilful Moldovan team.

With that in mind, the Irish manager is set to make at least two changes to his side.

"I always like to freshen up the team in these tournaments and we're more than likely to make one or two changes," said Kerr. "I'll be looking for a little bit more in midfield and up front, so there may be changes in those areas. I was happy with our defence and don't feel that needs altering."

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Moldova drew their opening match 1-1 with Bulgaria, though Kerr's feedback from the game was that they should have won.

"By all accounts, it was a tough, physical match with eight yellow cards and a red," said Kerr. "The Moldovans have an excellent striker who plays up on his own and does it very well, but the goalkeepers on either side didn't look great.

"We simply have to go out and win this match and hope that Bulgaria can upset the Czechs.

"The general opinion is that we played reasonably well against the Czechs," said Kerr. "The disappointing thing was that we achieved nothing. We were certainly worth at least a draw.

"I've told the players that I wasn't annoyed with them in any way and that they played as well as they could.

"They gave everything, but we perhaps lack the technical ability that would have made the difference.

"Overall it's annoying that we didn't get the draw as it would have left the group wide open."

A man died after the Levski Sofia versus CSKA Sofia football match in Bulgaria yesterday when a firecracker was thrown on to his back in the city centre. Mladen Mladenov (30), was sitting outside a cafe near a tram when a firecracker was thrown at him by mistake.