Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has backed his Ireland players to quickly get over the defeat to France and beat the Netherlands on Sunday.
Ireland were deservedly beaten by France 2-0 at the Parc des Princes on Thursday night. Goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Marcus Thuram condemned Ireland to their third defeat in four games.
Ireland's chances of reaching Euro 2024 are now even slimmer. They will welcome the Netherlands to Dublin on Sunday, and both teams head into the game with different mindsets because of Thursday's results.
Holland beat Greece 3-0 in Eindhoven and can all but end Ireland's slim qualification hopes with a win.
Kenny, who is under even more pressure than before, still believes that Ireland has the capacity to shock Ronald Koeman's side on Sunday.
"Holland beating Greece tonight means that if we beat Holland on Sunday, we're all level, the three of us are level in relation to second place," the Ireland manager told RTÉ Sport.
‘Where is this team heading?’ - @DietmarHamann and @RichieSadlier assess the future of the Ireland side under the stewardship of Stephen Kenny pic.twitter.com/qaedEfRULQ
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) September 7, 2023
"We've Greece to come at home in October and Gibraltar away, so it is a big game; we do need a victory.
"It won't be easy... but we've won three of our last four competitive games at home. At home, since Covid has finished and we've been able to get full capacity crowds, all our crowds are sellouts no matter who we're playing, but particularly for Holland now on Sunday. The crowd gives the players energy."
Ireland lost Will Keane to injury during the game, and now it has been confirmed that fullback Enda Stephens will likely miss the game on Sunday.
Kenny has confirmed that Ireland will be looking at bringing in cover for the injured pair.
"Enda looks like a calf injury and Will an abductor, so we'll have to see," added Kenny.
"It wouldn't be looking good for either of them in the short proximity, of course. We've got to consider that and see who we add to the squad, who we add ahead of Sunday, which is a massive game for us."
Ireland's game against Holland starts at 7.45pm on Sunday.
