Recap
There are moments in football when the shift in momentum is so abrupt it feels almost surreal.
Ireland, just minutes away from hosting Denmark in a decisive World Cup qualifier, now find themselves preparing for a Tuesday night friendly against North Macedonia – an occasion that, on paper, lacks both stakes and appeal. The transition from dreams of global glory to a routine March fixture in Dublin has been swift and sobering. Matches of this nature, often seen as consolation after missing out on a major tournament, rarely capture widespread enthusiasm.
Yet, there is a different dimension to this Irish side. Under Heimir HallgrÃmsson, the team has managed to reconnect with its supporters and reignite public interest. As a result, a strong turnout is still expected, with fans eager to show their backing. From a squad perspective, Ireland are close to full strength, with Jack Taylor the only confirmed absence.
In stark contrast, North Macedonia arrive in a state of evident turmoil. Since the managerial change and the appointment of Goce Sedloski, the situation has deteriorated significantly. A humiliating 7-1 loss to Wales, was followed by a heavy 4-0 defeat to Denmark, raising serious concerns about both structure and mentality. Rather than responding with greater resilience, the team delivered another disjointed performance against Denmark, failing to register a single shot on target. Goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski was the only player keeping them competitive in the first half, but the second period exposed their vulnerabilities entirely.
The team continues to struggle under high pressing, frequently losing possession after only a few passes, which highlights deeper tactical and technical deficiencies. Off-field issues have further complicated matters, with both Aleksandar Trajkovski and Bojan Miovski expressing dissatisfaction after being left out of the starting lineup and left the national team. Additionally, Jani Atanasov is sidelined through injury, while Ezgjan Alioski remains unavailable, leaving the squad weakened.
Coach Sedloski has indicated that key players will feature for only 45 minutes, using the match to assess alternative options. However, the overall quality gap appears significant, with the available Macedonian squad falling well short of Ireland’s level.
Taking all factors into account, Ireland appear well-positioned to deliver a clear and convincing victory.