Collins not giving up hope of Republic making play-offs

REPUBLIC of Ireland skipper Nathan Collins is relishing the prospect of having to beat Portugal and Hungary to make it to next summer's World Cup finals.

- Damian SPELLMAN

Ireland belatedly ignited their Group F campaign with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Armenia on Tuesday evening only to find when they came off the pitch that Hungary had snatched a late draw in Portugal to move a point clear of them.

Portugal, who beat the Republic 1-0 on Saturday with a last-gasp goal of their own, are due in Dublin next month before Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side head for Budapest, and while four points might be enough to clinch second place and a playoff, Collins knows it might not.