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?