Glenn Nyberg, the man with the whistle for the seismic World Cup play-off semi-final between Czechia and Ireland in Prague, will need no introduction to Ireland fans.

It was Nyberg, the 37-year-old Swedish referee, who famously sent off Cristiano Ronaldo at Lansdowne Road last November during Ireland’s remarkably 2-0 win.

Nyberg is a former substitute teacher who followed in his father’s footsteps in becoming a referee and has been a FIFA official since 2016.

Nyberg has officiated at both Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympics as well as having plenty of Champions League experience.

He once memorably got on the wrong side of Thomas Tuchel — when he was Bayern Munich coach — for a controversial decision not to award a penalty during their 2024 quarter-final against Arsenal.

What Nyberg’s record shows is that he is not afraid to lay down the law, no matter how big the player or the occasion – and that could work in Ireland’s favour.

THREE AREAS THAT COULD DECIDE THE GAME

Set-pieces

THE height and physicality of this Czech team has been well referenced, even if there is a rumour flying around Prague that manager Miroslav Koubek is going to make a statement and drop former captain Tomas Soucek. It will be a big call to omit their biggest star, especially given the West Ham man’s threat at set-pieces. The likes of Soucek, Patrik Schick and Tomas Chory will all need watching at corners and free-kicks while they have the expert dead-ball delivery of Lyon playmaker Pavel Sulc. Josh Cullen’s absence won’t just be felt in the engine room — Troy Parrott’s opening goal against Portugal came from his corner. It will increase the responsibility on Ryan Manning and Robbie Brady, if he comes on, to make use of totems Jake O’Brien and Nathan Collins in the box.

Goalkeepers

GIVEN the prospect of a shoot-out, it was unsurprising that Caoimhín Kelleher’s remarkable record in saving penalties came up at yesterday’s press conference. The Cork man doesn’t stop every spot-kick he faces, it just seems that way. Kelleher (right) has saved three penalties in the Premier League this season, as well as that stop from Ronaldo in Lisbon, and he has denied the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Kylian Mbappe in the past. When he was a youth team player at Manchester United, Matej Kovar developed a reputation as a decent shot-stopper from the spot. The PSV custodian has faced five penalties this season, including two for Czechia against Croatia, and failed to keep any of them out.

Use of the bench

IT could be a long evening in the Fortuna Arena. Very long. With the possibility of extra-time, it will be imperative that the substitutes are used judiciously. In fairness to the Ireland manager, the way he utilised reserves in Budapest helped create the match-winning situation, such as dropping Finn Azaz deeper into midfield and calling upon Adam Idah and Johnny Kenny to go with a three-pronged attack. It is not hard to see Robbie Brady, as an expert at set-pieces and penalties, being sprung at some point, especially if the game looks to be heading towards 120 minutes and beyond. And Harvey Vale might be a wild card to be thrown into the mix.