The Republic of Ireland is set to face Qatar in their third meeting, following two previous friendly matches. In March 2021, they played to a 1-1 draw in Hungary. Later that year, in October, the Republic of Ireland secured a decisive 4-0 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
Republic of Ireland’s Strong Record
The Republic of Ireland boasts an impressive record against Asian teams. They have won nine out of eleven encounters, with their only losses coming from a 1-0 defeat to Iran in November 2001 and the earlier draw with Qatar. Notably, Ireland has maintained a flawless home record against Asian opponents, winning all five matches with a cumulative score of 13-0.
Unbeaten Streak
Currently, the Republic of Ireland remains unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, achieving four wins and two draws. This streak marks their best performance since a similar eight-match run between September 2021 and March 2022.
Qatar’s Recent Performance
The Qatari national team has had a mixed record against European sides recently. They have avoided defeat in five out of their last seven games, recording two wins, three draws, and two losses. However, they are winless in their last three matches, with one draw and two defeats since their 1-0 victory against Albania in November 2022.
AFC World Cup Qualification
During the third round of AFC qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Qatar faced significant challenges. They conceded a staggering 24 goals, the highest among all teams in this round, allowing three or more goals in half of their ten matches. Their qualification process included a 0-0 draw against Oman and a 2-1 win over the UAE.
Notable Players and Statistics
- In a recent match against Grenada, Jack Moylan became the second player to achieve a hat-trick on his debut for the Republic of Ireland.
- David Kelly was the first to accomplish this feat in 1987.
- Kelly also holds the record for most goals (4) across a player’s first two caps for Ireland.
- Qatar’s Almoez Ali scored 12 goals in World Cup qualifying, second only to Erling Haaland’s 16 goals.
As the teams prepare for their upcoming match, both the Republic of Ireland and Qatar look to build on their recent performances, aiming for a solid showing in what promises to be an exciting encounter.
