Finn Azaz: Win for Ireland in Portugal would be bigger shock than Armenia defeat

Finn Azaz has admitted a Republic of Ireland victory in Portugal would be a bigger shock than their defeat in Armenia as they attempt to get their World Cup qualification campaign back on track.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men went down 2-1 in Yerevan last month three days after fighting back from 2-0 down at home to Hungary to draw 2-2, leaving their dream of making it to the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer – and perhaps their head coach’s future – hanging by a thread.

Ireland’s hopes of emerging from Group F could live or die on what they do against Cristiano Ronaldo and company in Lisbon on Saturday evening, and Southampton midfielder Azaz knows the odds on a famous result in Irish football history are not on their side.

Asked if a win at the Jose Alvalade Stadium against a side ranked fifth in the world would represent a bigger surprise than the debacle in Armenia, who sit in 103rd place in the rankings, the 25-year-old told a press conference: “We know what Portugal are, so the obvious answer to that question is ‘yes’.

“But at the same time with that added energy of losing that last game – we all know we shouldn’t be losing that game – so there’ll definitely be an added edge to make it right.

“There is an anger there to put things right. We know it wasn’t good enough and we’re feeling we can really make a statement and put it right.

“For me these are the best opportunities to show and showcase that you can compete with those players.

“A lot of people will think, ‘Ah, those are the big players’, but for me, I’m motivated to show that I can compete with them and that will match the mentality from the other lads.”

Ireland embarked upon the campaign with high hopes of making the finals of a major tournament for