World Cup Group F qualifier: Hungary v Republic of Ireland, Pusk\u00e1s Ar\u00e9na, Budapest, Sunday, 2pm Irish time \u2013 Live on RT\u00c92<\/p>\n
The Green Army is on the move. Budapest or bust as 3,000 Irish fans fly into the Hungarian capital for the final World Cup qualifier, with the Republic of Ireland<\/a> intent on backing up Thursday\u2019s magnificent 2-0 defeat of Portugal<\/a> with the three points needed to reach a playoff next March.<\/p>\n Hungary, led by Liverpool<\/a> midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, only require a draw to finish second in Group F.<\/p>\n Portugal will qualify automatically for North America 2026 as group winners by beating Armenia in Porto on Sunday afternoon, although Roberto Mart\u00ednez must plan without his suspended captain Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a> after he was sent off for elbowing Dara O\u2019Shea in Dublin<\/a>.<\/p>\n O\u2019Shea recovered while Jayson Molumby and Ryan Manning return from suspension, which suggests that Liam Scales and Jack Taylor could make way. This would be harsh on Scales who produced several inspirational moments against the Portuguese, including a headed assist for Troy Parrott<\/a>\u2019s first goal in Scales\u2019s first start for Ireland since being sent off against England in November last year.<\/p>\n Molumby\u2019s combative nature feels essential in midfield against his West Bromwich Albion team-mate Callum Styles. <\/p>\n There are concerns around S\u00e9amus Coleman<\/a> and Chiedozie Ogbene<\/a> being able to start at the Pusk\u00e1s Ar\u00e9na after their enormous contributions on Thursday<\/a>. Coleman (37) played the full match while Ogbene ran himself into the ground for 86 minutes despite his recent recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon.<\/p>\n Realistically, Ireland cannot overcome Hungary without them.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a unique guy,\u201d Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson<\/a> said of Coleman. \u201cIt is unbelievable that he can play 90 minutes, at this level, so well. It amazes me that he does not get minutes at Everton.\u201d<\/p>\n [\u00a0Hungary v Ireland: Kick-off time, TV details, permutations and more<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n Coleman warms the bench at Everton because Jake O\u2019Brien is the club\u2019s right back. <\/p>\n Whether or not Evan Ferguson recovers from his ankle injury, the 21-year-old striker\u2019s presence is offset by Parrott transferring his prolific form for Dutch club AZ Alkmaar to the international scene. The Dubliner\u2019s brace against Portugal brings his tally so far this season to 15 goals in 17 appearances for club and country. <\/p>\n In September, Hungary threatened to tear Ireland apart in the opening qualifier at the Aviva Stadium, taking a 2-0 lead after 15 minutes before Adam Idah\u2019s 93rd-minute equaliser salvaged a point<\/a>.<\/p>\n Marco Rossi\u2019s side only lost at home to Portugal after Jo\u00e3o Cancelo\u2019s late winner, although Szoboszlai\u2019s even later leveller snatched a point in Lisbon.<\/p>\n Ireland followed up their draw with Hungary by losing to Armenia in Yerevan<\/a>, a result that prompted Hallgr\u00edmsson and his assistant John O\u2019Shea to revert to the system employed by Stephen Kenny and his assistants Keith Andrews and O\u2019Shea during the previous management\u2019s time in charge. The back four became a back five while Coleman and Molumby were recalled for a defend-at-all-costs performance away to Portugal that came unstuck when R\u00faben Neves scored in the 91st minute<\/a>.<\/p>\n