COLLINS EYES PORTUGAL WIN

STILL BELIEVING Nathan Collins says qualification is possible

- BY MARK McCADDEN

NATHAN COLLINS is targeting three points against Portugal next month as Ireland's World Cup hopes are set to go to the wire.

Hungary's injury-time equaliser in Lisbon means they have the advantage in the race for second place, heading into the final two rounds of qualification.

However, Collins is confident that, with the visit of Portugal to Dublin and a trip to Budapest to come, Ireland can claim a playoff spot and stay in contention for next summer's finals.

"When you bring Portugal to Aviva, I think the aim is to win the game no matter what," he said. "Hungary away, the last game of the campaign, anything can happen. But Portugal at home, it's going to be an exciting game."

One thing is for sure - the performance will have to be sharper, from an attacking perspective, than last night's display against Armenia.