Cautious optimism will be the approach of Irish youths manager Brian Kerr to tomorrow's opening game of their UEFA Under-18 qualifiers here in the Czech Republic.

"Given their recent form at all levels the Czechs should be a very formidable team," said Kerr, whose side arrived at their base in southern Moravia late last night.

"Playing them first has its advantages and its disadvantages. They may not know too much about us, and we will be the only team of the four that plays a different style."

Moldova, whom Ireland meet on Tuesday afternoon, and Bulgaria (Thursday) complete the four-team pool. Only the winners go through to a play-off to determine who qualifies for next summer's finals in Finland.

SQUAD: Barry Roche (Nottingham Forest), Wayne Henderson (Aston Villa), Stephen Brennan (Newcastle United), Paul Tierney (Manchester United), Clifford Byrne (Sunderland), Ken Coleman (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Danny Murphy (QPR), Fred Murray (Blackburn Rovers), David van Zanten (Celtic), Joe Gamble (Reading), Alan Cawley (Leeds United), Sean Thornton (Tranmere Rovers), Declan Field (Arsenal), Brian Cash (Nottingham Forest), Ger Robinson (Middlesbrough), Robert Doyle (Blackburn Rovers), Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest), Niall McNamara (Nottingham Forest).