The Republic of Ireland can qualify for the semi-finals of the Under-23 Intercontinental Cup in Malaysia tomorrow, Wednesday, should Iraq fail to beat group leaders Nigeria by more than two goals.

The final game in Group A will decide who qualifies for the last four. Ireland would face Australia, who topped Group B with maximum points, on Friday if Iraq fail to achieve their desired result.

Ireland are currently level on four points with Malaysia and Nigeria in Group A but occupy second place through goal difference. Iraq are fourth in the table with one point and their final game against Nigeria to come.

Don Givens’ side endured a frustrating 90 minutes against Iraq in their last group game on Monday which ended goalless.

The Irish went for the win, knowing that it would secure them qualification, but they came up against a side with a tendency to slow the game down whenever possible.

That tactic stifled the young Irish team as they struggled to maintain their usual high tempo throughout.

Everton defender Darren Dennehy admits that the experience of dealing with the Iraqi’s approach was new to him.

“The Iraqi’s killed time all through the game and it was very difficult to get any flow to our attacking game,” said the 19-year old.

“We have never played against tactics like those and it will only help us to learn for future games”

Dennehy has learned a lot of things during the course of the tournament so far. He’s been involved with the Irish Under-21 squad for most of the past season but wasn’t capped.

He is the second member of the Dennehy family to earn Under-21 caps for the Republic of Ireland, as his brother Billy was part of the squad for Madeira Cup in February 2007.

Darren is one of only three players in the current 18-man squad to have started in all of the group games at the Asian tournament.

And his form to date suggests that he can push his way into contention for the remaining competitive matches in the UEFA Championship qualifying series.

Everton manager David Moyes has recently rewarded the tall centre-back with the offer of a new contract at Goodison Park and he has plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future.

Ireland's Results (Group A):
Thursday, May 15
Republic of Ireland 3-1 Malaysia

Saturday, May 17
Republic of Ireland 1-3 Nigeria

Tuesday, May 19
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Iraq

Semi-final fixtures

Friday, May 23
Nigeria v Chile (Kick-off 6.30pm local time, 11.30am Irish time)

Australia v Republic Ireland (Kick-off 9pm local time, 2m Irish time)

Both matches to be played at Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Cheras.

Republic of Ireland Squad:
Shane Redmond - Nottingham Forest
Paul Skinner – Celtic
Eddie Nolan - Blackburn Rovers
Darren Dennehy - Everton
David Elebert – Hamilton Academicals
Shane Lowry - Aston Villa
Michael Spillane - Norwich City
James Ryan – Shrewsbury Town
James Berrett – Huddersfield Town
Michael Collins – Huddersfield Town
Keith Treacy - Blackburn Rovers
Billy Clarke - Ipswich Town
Stephen Ward - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Simon Madden – Leeds United
Stephen Maher - Yeovil Town
Mark Salmon – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Karl Moore - Manchester City
Alan Judge - Blackburn Rovers.