As Ireland prepare to take on Austria in Vienna hoping for a miracle, Tuesday’s hosts are recovering from a 3-0 defeat in Munich. Germany inched closer to qualification with goals from Miroslav Klose, equalling the German record, Kroos, and Muller. Meanwhile Kazakhstan, who must defeat Sweden to give Ireland any hope, had to come from behind to beat the Faroe Islands.
It’s been a massive end of season for the Boys in Green. Three World Cup qualifying points, positive displays against England and Spain, the emergence of Wes Hoolahan, and the growing statures of Coleman and McCarthy have whet the appetite for a real crack at toppling Austria and Sweden for a play-off berth. However, for some, criticism of the team and manager remains entrenched. Here’s 10 talking points.
The Lansdowne Road crowd is planning a tenth minute tribute to Robbie Keane during tonight’s World Cup qualifier with the Faroe Islands. The Irish captain will become his country’s record caps holder as the Boys in Green aim to stay in contention for Brazil next summer.
Giovanni Trapattoni has named his provisional Irish squad for the upcoming bumper four match series involving the World Cup qualifier with the Faroe Islands and the glamour fixtures with England in Wembley and Spain in New York. Norwich’s Anthony Pilkington is included but is due to be married in the middle of the packed two-week schedule.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s mobile bill is set to soar this summer as he’ll need to name a bumper Irish panel to cater for a gruelling four matches in two weeks. There’s sure to be room for squad hopefuls and possible recalls as Ireland prepare for a historic meeting with England in Wembley, a World Cup qualifier, and a reunion with Spain in New York.
Ireland’s other World Cup group rivals enjoyed big wins last night. Germany cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory away to Kazakhstan while Austria hit the Faroe Islands for six.
Stephen Kelly and Giovanni Trapattoni are playing out a nasty tit-for-tat row in the full glare of the media spotlight after the defender stated he was ‘shocked and disgusted’ with the manager’s comments about him this week.
The three finalists have been announced for the FIFA Puskas Award for the “most beautiful goal of the year.” Radamel Falcao, Miroslav Stoch and Neymar are all in the running for the gong but which one gets your vote?
Having shaken off a hamstring strain, and after his heroics for West Brom at the weekend. Shane Long has been named in the revised squad list for the meeting with Greece. But who misses out?
“For me it’s no problem going to games. I can fly every Saturday. The problem is players not knowing if they’re going to play”