EARLY ON WEDNESDAY morning (1am Irish time) an understrength Ireland team take on Spain a year on from their humiliating 4-0 Euro 2012 defeat at the hands of the eventual champions.
The Boys in Green were completely outclassed in Gdansk that night – conceding the first goal from Fernando Torres just four minutes into the game – and without a number of experienced players, they will need to work extremely hard to avoid suffering a similar faith at New York’s Yankee Stadium.
Spain only managed a 2-1 win over Haiti in Miami on Saturday but the game is their final warm-up ahead of the Confederations Cup, which begins this weekend.
Although many see it as a pointless end of season trip, Giovanni Trapattoni can make good use of it in the following ways.
1. James McCarthy can test himself against the best
After a rocky start to their relationship, the Ireland manager sees James McCarthy has his first choice midfielder these days, which is good news as, at 22, he is destined to be a leader in the team for years to come.
Certain to leave relegated Wigan and possibly set to link up with former Latics boss Roberto Martinez at Everton, he is ready to make the next step in his club career.
At international level, the Scottish-born player has chance to test himself against the best on the planet. Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Javi Martinez and Juan Mata are all expected to play in New York and with Trap calling for the midfielder to believe in himself more, McCarthy can add to his growing reputation with a big performance.
2. Seamus Coleman continues to grow in stature
Like McCarthy, Coleman took time to earn the trust of Trapattoni but has become a regular fixture a right full-back. An exciting player who always wears his heart on his sleeve and is full of energy, the former Sligo Rovers defender has progressed over the past 12 months and is a real attacking threat as well as a solid defender.
Whether it is Juan Mata, David Silva or Manchester City new boy Jesus Navas he comes up against, Coleman will have his hands full for 90 minutes so it will be interesting to see how he deals with the assignment.
3. Ireland can put the drubbing in Poland behind them with a solid display
361 days ago, the Irish fans in Gdansk sang their hearts out as the team was passed off the park by Vincente Del Bosque’s side. The Irish diaspora are sure to turn out for Ireland’s first stateside appearance since 2007 and, while it is only a friendly at the end of the day, we saw how the draw at Wembley Stadium worked as a morale booster for the squad and avoiding defeat against Spain would help confidence grow further with make-or-break qualifiers against Sweden and Austria to come in September.
