World Cup 2006 qualifying: Surely no one can claim to love the idea of a plucky little island nation upsetting football's big boys more than the Irish.
But as Brian Kerr might have explained to Henrik Larsen during the three days their players have shared the same hotel on the outskirts of Tórshavn, the idea was sort of patented by our lot around 1988 and any attempt to turn the tables on Ireland this evening would severely dent the local population's reputation as genial hosts.
That is not, of course, the only thing a result for the home side this evening would dent. Another couple of points dropped by Kerr's side after Saturday's draw in Dublin would damage their prospects of getting to Germany next summer beyond repair.
A number of players acknowledged as much yesterday, and there is certainly no lack of determination to consign the costly 2-2 result with Israel to history and restore some momentum to Ireland's campaign.
But it is not in the determination department the visiting side will outscore the Faroese; rather, it should be their individual talent and collective ability. If both are not made to tell then it will be a difficult encounter with a side that, though limited in almost every way, has shown a willingness to battle that has caused a succession of decent sides problems here.
Kerr's preparations for the game are boosted by the return from suspension of Roy Keane and Stephen Carr, and both are set to start, with Kevin Kilbane shifting outside in midfield and John O'Shea moving to centre back to accommodate the pair.
It is in attack, however, that there are difficulties to be overcome, with the loss of Robbie Keane to injury being compounded yesterday by problems with Clinton Morrison, who limped out of training distinctly out of sorts. "I don't feel great," said the striker. "My hip is sore and I've been unwell for the past few days, but, fingers crossed, I'll be okay to play in the match."
His absence would be a considerable blow and almost certainly result in Gary Doherty starting up front for the visitors.
The Norwich player may start there any way, for Damien Duff made it abundantly clear during yesterday's post-training press conference that he views the wing as his best position.
But it seems more likely that a manager who has always insisted that he values the quality of the football produced by his teams will start with a gameplan more elegant than aiming for a big man.
On Monday, Kerr was at pains to differentiate between the idea of knocking the ball long up field to Doherty, as Ireland did through the latter stages of Saturday's game, and getting players into positions from where angled crosses could be sent in for the striker to get on the end of.
The latter is, of course, preferable, but even it seems like a plan ideally kept in reserve by a side that boasts the attacking talents of Andy Reid and Duff, as well as a strong central midfield which is capable of scoring goals.
There would be a good deal to be said for a tactical shift tonight, with Reid and Duff possibly joining a central striker in attack and Kilbane, Keane and Matt Holland being used as a three-man midfield. Kerr has proved surprisingly reluctant to meddle with the basics of this senior team, however, and he will probably stick with the 4-4-2 formation that has continued to serve as the team's blueprint since he succeeded Mick McCarthy.
When the sides met in October, Morrison was absent and so Duff played up front alongside Robbie Keane, and the pair gave the visiting defence a terrible time over the opening half an hour. By the 14th minute the Chelsea player had earned a penalty that set the home side on the way to an impressively comfortable 2-0 win.
If Morrison is fit to start, then Duff again looks to be the best option as a second striker and the pair should be capable of causing problems to a big and burly defence, one better suited to countering the sort of challenge that would be posed by Doherty.
The Faroese came within 15 minutes on Saturday of taking a point from the Swiss, and they will aim for nothing much more than hold out for all 90 this evening. But the regularity with which Alexander Frei should have scored, particularly late on, suggests that the Irish too should leave Tórshavn with three points.
A really good night's work would be to do not just that but to do it without any of the six players, including Kenny Cunningham, Duff and O'Shea, on yellow cards picking up bookings that would keep them out of the France game in September.
The French, however, can wait. Tonight Ireland are the big boys and they have to make it tell.
PROBABLE TEAMS
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Given (Newcastle United); Carr (Newcastle United), O'Shea (Manchester United), Cunningham (Birmingham City), Harte (Levante); Reid (Tottenham Hotspur), Keane (Manchester United), Holland (Charlton Athletic), Kilbane (Everton); Duff (Chelsea), Morrison (Birmingham City).
FAROE ISLANDS: Mikkelsen; Hansen, Johannesen, Johnsson, Olsen; Danielsen; Borg, Benjaminsen, R Jacobsen, Jorgensen; Flotum.
