Event: Puskás Stadium, Budapest Date: Sunday, November 16 Kick off: 14:00 GMT
Coverage: Live text commentary and report on BBC Sport website
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Republic of Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson is happy his team have their destiny in their own hands as they prepare to seek the victory they need to qualify for the World Cup play-offs in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary in Budapest (14:00 GMT).
Three points for the Irish in the match at the Puskas Arena would allow them to achieve what in the early stages of the campaign seemed a very unlikely second place in Group F.
A home draw against Hungary was followed by a shock away defeat to Armenia, which put pressure on Hallgrimsson, and then a last-gasp away defeat against Portugal.
The Republic have since gained some revenge by defeating the Armenians at home and then achieved an impressive 2-0 victory over fifth-ranked Portugal in Dublin.
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Troy Parrott scored both goals in that memorable victory on Thursday, with Cristiano Ronaldo sent off.
“First of all, focus after a good game, take advantage of it, just realize what created that victory and try to reproduce it,” Hallgrimsson said of priorities in preparation for Sunday’s crucial game.
“(We need to) stop looking at or talking about what happened two days ago. Focusing on the next task is the most important thing now.
“We said we would always take advantage of it if we went to the final game and we still have a chance and everything is in our hands. We will take advantage of it. We love the fact that it is now in our hands.”
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The Republic will once again have Evan Ferguson, who continues to recover from an ankle injury.
Hallgrimsson had hoped to have the Roma striker available for the next key match, but Ferguson himself indicated he was not fit to return.
Otherwise, the Icelandic manager has a fully fit squad to choose from, plus Ryan Manning and Jayson Molumby available after suspension.
“I’m tempted to play against the same team. Will I do it? I don’t know. “The confidence is there and the faith is there. “We will see how they do in training and move on,” added the Republic of Ireland coach.
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“Everyone is fit except him (Evan Ferguson). We called him yesterday or he did a session yesterday and he hasn’t kicked the ball yet. We spoke to him and he feels he wouldn’t be able to contribute much.
“I give him great credit, thinking about the team first. Obviously all the players would like to come, especially after the game in Dublin, and join in, but he doesn’t think he would contribute enough to be in the team.
“So we left him out and he just continued with Roma, with his rehabilitation.”
Coleman ‘a really big battery’
Meanwhile, Heimir Hallgrimsson has paid tribute to drummer Seamus Coleman for helping bring the Republic’s World Cup aspirations to life ahead of their must-win match against Hungary.
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The 37-year-old was not included in the squad for the opening matches of the campaign in September as he battled for a place in the Everton squad.
However, at an age when many of his contemporaries had hung up their boots, the former Irish captain was still working tirelessly until injury time against Portugal, inspiring those around him and setting the standards that could yet take them to next summer’s finals.
“I think that in general, in life and in all people, and this applies to football, there are two types of people: people who are vacuum cleaners and people who are batteries, who give energy, give joy, give enthusiasm.
“And he is a really, really, really big battery for this group in a lot of ways, so the more the people of Ireland produce more Seamuses in the future, the better it will be for the football team.
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“But that’s probably the biggest compliment I can give anyone in life: it’s the biggest drummer I’ve ever worked with on a football team.
“Truly, he is a man who loves his country and will do anything, not only to shine, but to bring out the best in everyone around him.”