Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has claimed that his team are comfortable with playing must-win fixtures ahead of their trip to Cardiff to face Wales.
Ireland must defeat Wales on Monday night in order to maintain their chances of gaining a place in the playoffs for the World Cup, but O'Neill is relishing the prospect of causing an upset.
At Euro 2016, Republic of Ireland emerged victorious against Italy in similar circumstances, and rekindling memories of that success appears to be on the mind of the Green Army boss after Ireland defeated Moldova on Friday night.
O'Neill told Sky Sports News: "[The scenario ] reminds me of last year in the Euros when we went to Lille having to beat Italy to qualify for the last 16. It's all on the line. We'll go for it [against Cardiff on Monday] and we shouldn't die wondering.
"There will be a few people looking around at the same scenario. Austria winning the game tonight [against Serbia] is no surprise. They got lost in this group at some stage but it's been very tight.
"Any team who can finish ahead of Serbia will win the group so we're in there fighting, we've got a chance so let's go for it."
Republic of Ireland can still potentially finish top of Group D, but they would require Georgia to cause an upset against leaders Serbia.
Darren Plant
