The Republic of Ireland and Russia get ready to do battle in Dublin today with both sides knowing that defeat will all but crush their chances of going to Portugal next summer.
With leaders Switzerland looking certain to at least claim a play-off spot, Group 10 simply isn't big enough for both Ireland and Russia.
And though the Russians were comfortable 4-2 victors when the teams met in Moscow 12 months ago, form since then suggests Ireland may just get their revenge at Lansdowne Road.
"We are expecting a difficult game and we know they're good players so I would be surprised if they came here and didn't play."
Ireland changed managers last January, and new man Brian Kerr has presided over a resurgence that has seen the team embark on a seven-match unbeaten run and march ahead of Russia into second place in Group 10.
"I think the turnaround is because of the players' reaction," Hughton said.
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
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