WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING DRAW

Italy
Bulgaria
Republic of Ireland
Cyprus
Georgia
Montenegro

Italian coach Donadoni speaks out on World Cup group opponents...

“Bulgaria have more of a football tradition than the others and could be the team that on paper will try to compete with us for first place,” said Italian coach Donadoni.

“(The other sides) don’t have much of a history in the World Cup, but in any case have their strengths. For example, like all the Slavic nations, Montenegro have great technique, while Ireland are tough to beat. The same goes for Georgia, who we faced recently.”

Wales 2 Ireland 2 (Keane, Doyle)

Fascinating how well players play when the pressure's off! The boys in the studio acknowledged this fact, which makes you wonder why they couldnt have tried a more positive approach when the matches mattered.

I was disappointed we didnt win. Wales dont have anywhere close to the quality of our team and yet we act like we're on their level... something wrong with that.

Finally, you can smell good vibe off this team. I believe they want to perform and its good that top managers are looking for the job. I just hope the FAI move quickly.

Looking forward to the World Cup draw on Sunday now....
always look forward...

Ireland 1 Cyprus 1 (Finnan 92)

It went nasty again and Staunton has to go now. Its just untenable after this game. I'm really disappointed for him, because I've supported him throughout everything. The media went for the jugular after the Chile match on 24 May 2006 - Staunton's second friendly, and then the Dutch game on 16 August 2006. The writing was on the wall that early, and too many fans just bought everything that was said hook line and sinker. With a bit of patience in those early months things would have been better. Human beings cant perform to their best under that sort of abuse. Compare Robbie Keane at Spurs where he is respected, and here since we've turned on him.

Having said all that, we should be qualifying from this group end of story. You can see where we dropped points, and if you add them up then Wales next month would be a big game.

I worry now that no manager will be good enough to avoid the abuse, because its so cynical. They put angles and agendas on things.

However my choice is Souness. He might command respect from the media, especially Dunphy, and he does have managerial and playing experience.

Ireland 0 Germany 0

We did ourselves justice and it was a positive vibe around Croke Park. Makes you regret the 3 pts lost in Cyprus and the 2 lost in Slovakia. We'd be equal with the Czechs if we'd got just those.

Finally, a piece of wisdom from Bobby Robson...


"I dont think he (Stan) is making mistakes, and is it the public or the media who remain unconvinced? Is it the media who are persuading the public to think that way? If you are intelligent, constructive, fair and reasonable then I'll go along with you. But if you are destructive, unfair, unreasonable, unintelligent, I dont want to know. The fans read the papers, listen to their radios and watch their televisions, and the media can be very persuasive people....I think Stan needs a break....He has been in the job nearly two years and it takes that time to get to know the job."

Czech Republic 1 Ireland 0

It's a sickening feeling and I hate it..

It really does feel hollow to hear the Irish fans singing after the match. We lost, and we shouldnt have lost that match. We're as good as dead in the group, and its just so long till the next campaign...

Dunphy and the boys want a new manager in immediately. At this moment it sounds attractive. We can all dream of a Dalglish or Ferguson riding in on their horse to save us from the pain of not qualifying, but we wouldnt get them... You just need to hope that the team grows in the next campaign.

I disagree that the main problem is team selection, although I agree with some of it. Hunt and Reid should have played not Kelly and McEady, but it wouldnt have made a winning difference. It's much of a muchness.

The key problem for me is that we have a fundamental inability to be composed on the ball and to play a passing game. We're like Celtic in the Champions league - old style. The only thing we know how to do well is attact at pace, and we're in danger when we arent doing that. So players either run with the ball, head down, with tricky feet, or else they kick the ball long hoping for the best. All night it happened, like on Saturday against Slovakia. Why cant we just keep the ball and play it across the back? Why cant we probe and hold onto the thing? No composure.

It hurts bad. I've supported Staunton all the way because the media agenda stinks from start to finish. They get it wrong about him all the time in my opinion. However, results are everything, and losing tonight was a bad result. I could accept a draw - you could live with that, but not a defeat. It combines with the Germany and Cyprus results to make 3 defeats, none of which should have happened. Also look at Wales beating Cyprus 5-2 and Scotland beating France 1-0.

It does put Stan under pressure.

Slovakia 2 Ireland 2 (Ireland, Doyle)

Another 90th minute disaster for Ireland. For the last 15 minutes you sensed it could happen. Why cant we keep possession when in the lead or under pressure? I dont understand it... Why does Shay always kick it long, when he could just play it to the full backs to play it around at the back? Long term we need to grow in this area. I was watching Portugal later in the evening, and felt sick with their ability to do this sort of thing. There's a big gap between us and the top nations in this area.

In terms of qualifying the draw makes very little difference. We still have to beat Czech Republic this Wednesday. You just sense the last minute goal is a bad thing morale-wise. It cant help for Wednesday, even if things havent changed much in terms of what we need to do.

I just sense for the first time that for all our improvement and hunger and desire, we look to be a little short in terms of qualifying. No fault of Staunton or the players in my view. We're just short in terms of maturity at the moment. I hate saying that and long to be proved wrong...

Come on boys. Do or die. Lets have no regrets about the performance on Wednesday. Big night...

Denmark 0 Ireland 4 (Keane 2, Long 2) Friendly

Great result and the team continue to progress! Over the moon for Robbie getting his two goals. I commented here on the abuse he was getting after the Welsh game. Fair play to him.

A tough week for Stan with the loss of his Father and I was pleased to see him get some joy. You dont get 100 caps without being a survivor and I still think he will.

The match was an boost at an important time. Great finishing. Good lively play from a bunch of exciting youngsters. In fairness Denmark had chances and it could have been a different score, but look, really, we'll take it! Success breeds success.

Now to two massive games in September. I think the team has the right character to give it a good go. 3 points might be enough if its the Czechs we beat... but why not 6?

Ireland 1 Bolivia 1 (Long) US Cup.

26 May 07
Better opposition this time. Better result so. At the back we looked suspect, but going forward the young lads have been exciting. The crossing from the wings has struck me as really good. Alan O'Brien particularly. Someone tell the Liverpool team about how to cross a ball... you have to curl it so it curves out for the on-coming striker....sounds simple but Liverpool NEVER do it. They float the cross up and then down, so the striker gets no power on it....

I read some criticism today of US based Joe Lapira getting a chance ahead of Eircom League players in the Equador game. My initial reaction was quite positive in my last post so I better defend myself...

If the player is good enough then it doesnt matter where they are from...IT REALLY DOESNT MATTER. If they are not good enough, then it also doesnt matter where they are from... To be honest I dont think Staunton will pick anyone for key games who isnt atleast Championship standard in England. If Lapira proves to be that level then he deserves a chance, but if he isnt, then we probably wont see him again.

Americans generally are honest, determined and athletic in their sport. They have pride. They get a bit gooey about Ireland, and that could be quite attractive if the player is good enough.

Ireland 1 Equador 1 (Doyle) US Cup.

23 May 07
Stayed up late for this one, but what a game! Such a great effort from the young lads. Potter did well in the middle. Hunt and Doyletake great credit for coming along on the trip after such a big season with Reading. Staunton again has shown his commitment to bringing new young players through. The American lad, Joe Lapira from Notre Dame Uni (?!) made an interesting introduction. Surely there are players from the US who would qualify and would no doubt burst a gut for Ireland...

Ireland 1 Slovakia 0 (Doyle)

Absolutely brilliant! What a massive result at the end of a hard week.

Stan and the team responded in the best way possible to the criticism and you never know where this might lead further down the line...

Isnt it funny how things predicted in the press and by sensationalist fans don't happen in the end.....

Just because we lost 5-2 to Cyprus, doesnt mean we'll lose 10-2 to Czech Republic.

Just because we only beat San Marino, doesnt mean Wales will beat us...(a friend of mine predicted 4-0 to Wales last Friday before the game.)

Just because we only beat Wales (how crap are they...?!) doesnt mean Slovakia will destroy us.

Each game is a new game. That's why I always feel that positive is better than negative. Maybe it'll turn around I kept thinking... Maybe the Croke Park effect will work... Maybe Stan will settle into it...maybe the young players will click...
but all the time the media and fans were about the business of destruction...

Well last night I felt just a little bit vindicated. Those young players are great new players. Stan has brought them in, and he's maintained a good team spirit through bad days. Is there any praise too high, given the pressure they were under?

Fair play to him. Tough games ahead in the Autumn, but a really positive way to go into the break now. He could be lucky you know...

PS.
O'Hurlihy: What's your prediction for tonight then?
Giles: I dont know
Brady: I think its likely to be a draw
Dunphy: Slovakia, if they are half decent and if the absence of two players doesnt hurt them, I'd fancy them to win...

...you'd kinda expect atleast one of them to get it right really wouldnt you?

Ireland 1 Wales 0 (Ireland)

I know it wasnt pretty, but this was a huge win. We could easily have drawn the game which would have been a disaster in the group. I put the win primarily down to the sheer quality of the goal. Robbie Keane played the ball through, and Ireland finished brilliantly. In fairness I mention Keane because of the unfair abuse he's getting. He also did well putting Duff through for his chance, and flicked on a beauty of a header for Doyle's crossbar shot. He runs for the team and does more than simply seeking to score goals. He deserves better from the fans.

Staunton is bringing young players through and they are doing well. McShane, Doyle, Ireland, Hunt especially. Others like Stokes, Douglas, McGeady are great prospects. It is amazing how many he's bringing through. Give him credit.

He is also learning from mistakes. Dropping Carsley was a mistake - he corrected it. Ireland at right midfield was a mistake - he corrected it even before half time. Not criticising the team after San Marino was a mistake - he corrected that by being more honest after this game.

In terms of atmosphere, I was there, and it was good. Not wonderful, but throughout the game the fans supported the team. Flick through the video and you'll hear the crowd if you're honest. I've been to Anfield and this compared very well even despite the pressure on the team.

Finally, look at England, Scotland, France and Italy - just for starters... international football is rarely a walk in the park...

A win at this moment is priceless. I sincerely look forward to Wednesday and want the boys to get another win. That would be a massive result and would help with confidence. The abuse in the media is disgraceful and doesnt help. I believe if you want the best from the team (sincerely) then anger and insults will never work.

Big day ahead...

"He has his own opinions, and that's his opinion. I'm here to deal with Ireland. The boys are here, training away. Roy has done a wonderful job at Sunderland. That's his job - he picks his team. I've my team here, and I'll pick mine. That's the end of it. It's not about Roy Keane; it's about Ireland playing a qualifying game on Saturday. I've nothing more to say. That's it. End of story."


I know Staunton's under pressure and the team really do need to perform against Wales later today, but personally I'm longing for a good result. It really is a crucial game to win....no matter how it comes.

Support the boys in green...

What’s this country coming to with the abuse Staunton and the Irish team have got from the media since San Marino? You’d think it was unusual for football teams to struggle against smaller teams sometimes. Even the worst of teams...

It reminded me of another bad day for the Irish team 20 years ago in 1987 when we struggled to defeat Luxembourg 2-1 at home. At 1-1, in the second half, the Irish fans even started cheering Luxembourg. When Stapleton scored the winner to make it 2-1 the reaction was very muted. In hindsight few will remember that game, but we managed to scrape through that group courtesy of Scotland beating Bulgaria and ended up in Euro 88. Stapleton’s goal was crucial, and that was early days in Charlton’s era. Fortunes can change on incidents like last minute goals…The abuse of the team has been horrendous and vicious. In the case of McCarthy and Kerr, once the team started to struggle under the criticism, it was only a matter of time before the managers were sacked. I just find it very wrong.

To me Staunton has actually done very little wrong, given that he has faced such personal abuse since only his second match (Chile 0-1). Performances haven’t been good enough, but again, what’s so unusual about that? On the positive side, he has introduced a lot of young players which is the hallmark of good management in the early days of a job. He learnt from his mistake in omitting Lee Carsley, which was unusual. Managers are normally very stubborn bunch with their decisions. There is an accusation going round that he isn’t straight enough in interviews after games, but I disagree. He handles himself well in the circumstances. Obviously he's awkward like Dalglish was, but I feel its justified given the questioning is clearly loaded, cynical and over the top. He's just standing up for himself. As Shay Given said this week, the criticism is coming even though the team actually beat San Marino. The bad performance justifies the criticism, but only to a point.

I have confidence in the fans who attend the games. Croke Park will be special and the atmosphere will be like the Czech Republic game. We proved the media wrong that night, and it was powerful. It was an atmosphere of honesty, born of frustration, and truly a call for better from the team, but at least it was expressed in support and encouragement the way it should be.

They’ve said we don’t love the team anymore. They’ve said we won’t even turn up at Croke Park in the end. They've said a lot of things that arent true...