Ireland manager Brian Kerr was under no illusions about the task facing Ireland in their final Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland that will decide their fate in Group 10 when he named his squad today.
After being held to a draw by Russia at Lansdowne Road last month, Ireland almost certainly have to beat Switzerland in Basel on October 11th for a place in the playoffs.
Ireland have been boosted by the return of five players who missed last month's 2-2 friendly draw with Turkey in Dublin.
The Swiss top the group on 12 points followed by Russia and Ireland on 11 points but if the Russians defeat bottom club Georgia at home, as expected, the Irish will have to win.
"Switzerland have got the advantage playing at home, their team has been very consistent, they beat us (in Dublin) fair and square and they've looked better than us," said Kerr.
But he told a news conference his players were fully charged up for "the most important match of the year" for them.
"I know they're raring to go. It's going to be a hard one, but since the game against Turkey (on September 9th) I know that the majority of the players have had this match on their minds big time. They want to do the job.
Kerr noted that it was also a key match for Switzerland, who at one stage looked like they would comfortably win the group but could now finish third and miss out on the playoffs.