Republic of Ireland V Georgia - Wednesday, 11th February 2009 - World Cup 2010 Q

[paul_oshea]

Anyone got highlights, I left the pub in disgust after 65 minutes only to return after a few texts, with 6 minutes to go.

:rolleyes:

[Wolfie]

Job done - just about.

We certainly deserved to win the game on the balance of play but there's no doubt we struggled for much of the first half and some of the 2nd.

I know I'm not in line with the concensus view here but I didn't think McGeady was particularly excellent overall last night. In fact, I thought he had a relatively poor first half overall - despite some flashes of brilliance. That said, he jolted to life during the 2nd half and was a prominant contributor to us clawing back the game.

Whelan had a poor game - he's desperately lacking in pace and his passing was awful last night. I know you're just tormenting yourself talking about Stephen Ireland - But can you imagine the joy we'd have got down the flanks with Duff and McGeady with Ireland's slide-rule passes?

Stephen Kelly - Woefully jittery performance and confirms my view that he's not International class full back. This is based on many matches - not just last night.

All those gripes aside - 3 points. Thanks very much. Roll on Bulgaria.

[paul_oshea]

:D:D
I'd rather walk barefoot to South Africa before I'd send you the highlights.

haha great post geysir. well said.


Never have i done that in my lifetime, and the day I do Ill never consider myself a fan again or ever watch the national team.

[ChrisRed]

Did anyone hear Dunphy's comments after the match about Irelands 7 or 8 players that would get into any international team.

"Given, Doyle, Dunne, O'Shea, Keane and Ireland..........and they all love to play for thier country which is very rare these days"

Its definitely rare with Stpehen Ireland anyway

[elroy]

one thing which will stay with me forever is when georgia scored the second, everyone just went completely quiet and then SUDDENLY it was disallowed and the celebrations were class.

That was a turning point imo, it was like there was a sudden realisation of both players and fans alike of the situation we were in and from them on we didnt look back. We were battering them for a good ten mins upto the penalty incident so I do think we probably wouldve got the goal anyways. Once we got the first, we were always the favourites to win, Georgia had made all their subs and couldnt adapt.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm watching recording of the second half on SKY. In cold light of day and without the nerves, we did pretty much everything you'd want us to have done. We gave them one cheap shot at goal which was deflected onto the post (the follow up was a mile offside).

We won every 50/50, both Whelan & Andrews got on the ball plenty and the wide guys threatened. Final ball wasn't always great, in fact set pieces yet again were poor, Keane's goal notwithstanding.

McGeady beat his man with ease almost every time - even when double-tagged - and his shooting nearly paid dividends. On 70 mins McGeady sent in a great low ball to Duff who tried to be too clever with a dummy.

Keane's penalty was the definition of composure. The actual award itself was wrong but the guy did definitely deliberately move his shoulder to the ball. It wasn't a case of ball hitting shoulder. Does shoulder count? :)

Doyle's running was selfless and invaluable.

Since we went 2-1 up O'Shea carelessly mi**** a clearance and right on 90 minutes were none too convincing with some high balls on our 18 yard line.

Whelan won possession back with a few good tackles. I noticed that Whelan & Andrews dovetailed. I thought Whelan was usually sitting deep with Andrews forward but it was often the other way around. Andrews was very aggressive pressing the ball rather than just sitting back allowing them on us. McGeady did the same.

watching live I didn't realise just how dominant we actually were.

[Stuttgart88]

I don't know if it's been said anywhere but this has been our best ever world cup campaign start. And half the people are still miserable!

[Tipp Townie]

I don't know if it's been said anywhere but this has been our best ever world cup campaign start. And half the people are still miserable!

Best ever?! That IS a pretty good stat. And its worth remembering that this qualifying group doesnt have a 'minnow' in it either, unlike previous groups like Andorra/San Marino etc.

I'm always up for being positive- don't want to get carried away either, but luck is important. Jack Charlton had it in spades. As has been mentioned on here a couple of times already, the first half of the Euro 88 qualifiers were pretty patchy to say the least, but we still got there.

One note of caution though, that its worth us remembering- this campaign isnt solely about getting 2nd place. (Yes we want to win the group and i think we have a chance, although the performances do have to improve). WHat i mean is, simply coming above Bulgaria isnt necessarily good enough; we have to make sure that our 'record' is good, else we might even miss out on the play offs. From that point of view a squeaky win like last night's could make double the difference.

Anyone got a link to some highlights yet?

[irishultra]

i think with the way other groups are going if we manage to finish second we won't be the worst second placed team.

[tetsujin1979]

For some reason my DVR only recorded the first half last night, I'll stick that online if anyone wants to watch it?

[irishultra]

aye...please

[mypost]

What makes you think I am crying about it? I am over the moon that we have a chance to qualify. I am just pointing out that we were lucky to beat Georgia twice.Ok you make your own luck but do you think we deserved to win both games on merit? I dont think so!

I do think we deserved to win both games, and it's about time we got luck, not wondering what might have been. Unlike the Cyprus backs-to-the-wall job, we held out fairly comfortably after going in front.

We're 4 games into a long campaign, and it's still a work-in-progress. But we are winning, and like with Charlton, the longer we're successful, the more confident the players are, and the better we'll get. We've come far in the past year, and we can go further the longer the campaign goes on.

[the doc]

I'm watching recording of the second half on SKY. In cold light of day and without the nerves, we did pretty much everything you'd want us to have done. We gave them one cheap shot at goal which was deflected onto the post (the follow up was a mile offside).

We won every 50/50, both Whelan & Andrews got on the ball plenty and the wide guys threatened. Final ball wasn't always great, in fact set pieces yet again were poor, Keane's goal notwithstanding.

McGeady beat his man with ease almost every time - even when double-tagged - and his shooting nearly paid dividends. On 70 mins McGeady sent in a great low ball to Duff who tried to be too clever with a dummy.

Keane's penalty was the definition of composure. The actual award itself was wrong but the guy did definitely deliberately move his shoulder to the ball. It wasn't a case of ball hitting shoulder. Does shoulder count? :)

Doyle's running was selfless and invaluable.

Since we went 2-1 up O'Shea carelessly mi**** a clearance and right on 90 minutes were none too convincing with some high balls on our 18 yard line.

Whelan won possession back with a few good tackles. I noticed that Whelan & Andrews dovetailed. I thought Whelan was usually sitting deep with Andrews forward but it was often the other way around. Andrews was very aggressive pressing the ball rather than just sitting back allowing them on us. McGeady did the same.

watching live I didn't realise just how dominant we actually were.

Well it's 3 points won so we'll take that!

Performance wise I thought we were poor, we were too loose, and wide open to attack, we seemed to lack any real game plan, better teams would of scored a hatful.

Thats a concern! Thank God we are in poor group!

[irishultra]

tbh its not that poor, i would have picked other groups i would have liked to be in.

[Blue Man]

Lets be honest, bar a nervy opening 15 or 20 mins, I thought we battered them. Take Andrews' (wrongly) disallowed goal, the penalty not given in the 1st half and the 2 goals we did score and we're looking at winning 4-0 taking away the freak goal we conceded.

Yes I think our centre of midfield is our weak link but until Stephen Reid is fit and playing and Stephen Ireland decides to get his head out of his hoop, Andrews and Whelan are the best we have (bar A.Reid who doesnt seem to fit in the system). Apart from that I thought we done OK. There was a good tempo about us, we were tough in the tackle and had the final ball been a bit better, we could've had more.

All in all Im happy to be top of the group (albeit joint) and I can see see us winning all our home games, yes even against Italy because as already posted, we do have at least 1 historic performance in us. Cmon lads have a bit of faith, the negativity on this forum baffles me sometimes. We're starting to sound like the English press here. Roll on Bulgaria!!

[Stuttgart88]

Great post from St. Louis.

[paul_oshea]

Job done - just about.

We certainly deserved to win the game on the balance of play but there's no doubt we struggled for much of the first half and some of the 2nd.

I know I'm not in line with the concensus view here but I didn't think McGeady was particularly excellent overall last night. In fact, I thought he had a relatively poor first half overall - despite some flashes of brilliance. That said, he jolted to life during the 2nd half and was a prominant contributor to us clawing back the game.

Whelan had a poor game - he's desperately lacking in pace and his passing was awful last night. I know you're just tormenting yourself talking about Stephen Ireland - But can you imagine the joy we'd have got down the flanks with Duff and McGeady with Ireland's slide-rule passes?

Stephen Kelly - Woefully jittery performance and confirms my view that he's not International class full back. This is based on many matches - not just last night.

All those gripes aside - 3 points. Thanks very much. Roll on Bulgaria.



I would agree re: mcgeady, very poor first half didnt do a great deal in the second, HOWEVER he kept us attacking, kept up the momentum and had he not done this he woudln't have inspired the others to up their tempo and get about the pitch and look for ball. It was this that was his major contribution, when ireland were doing very he little he offered hope and kept things going. Very important in the overall scheme of things.

[Docboy]

http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/68573/republic-of-ireland-vs-georgia/

Only very short highlights if you happened to miss the goals...

[Razors left peg]

Just watched the 2nd half on Sky again there. At one stage we had 68% possession.We were totally dominant in 2nd half.Best start EVER to a world cup qualifying campaign, maybe this Trappatoni fella knows what he is doing after all ;)

[NeilMcD]

http://www.examiner.ie/sport/ideymhcwau/

I tend to agree with Liam Mackey a lot when it comes to football and this report hits the nail on the head with regards to most issues.

[rambler14]

Incredibly lucky but thank christ we won in the end but only down to a poor referee and a ferocious amount of hardwork!
In fairness to Trappatoni though........he gets the job done!
Roll on Bulgaria:)

[eirebhoy]

No offence mate but I was in the singing section, my view was fine and I think you're talking through your hoop. McGeady was well supported by the fans where I was and the general concensous was that it was his best match for Ireland so far and he deserved the MOM award. However, he hasn't been doing pretty well for us for a while and I think you've got green and white hooped tinted galsses on if you think that. He's been average at best so far but stepped up last night and long may it continue.
I was at the match with a mate who always winds me up about any Celtic player and the 2 of us certainly noticed the loud groans all around the stadium for his mistakes more than the other players. I didn't say people in the SS gave him a hard time. They actually sang his name before he hit his groove after an hour. But it's not hard to hear the groans around the stadium.

I actually meant Wales away in my last post. I think he's playing well enough since that game, particularly the one against Brazil, to be allowed make 1 or 2 mistakes without the crowd getting on his back. Hunt gets away with it and McGeady should too. He definitely hasn't had a poor game since the Wales match imo. I could understand it if he was just playing rubbish for us recently. I think this is the first time I've actually mentioned the stick he gets from the crowd so it's not as if I think he should be immune. We're all allowed a groan at him if he was playing poorly for us all the time but people seem to think he has been rubbish for us in every game.

I'm not being over sensitive. I don't even bother arguing McGeady's case in the real world and it genuinely is tough to find anyone that likes him in this country.

Anyway, I've no doubt the positive reports he's getting today will get him in the good books for many so there's no point in continuing this debate.

[stiffler]

I have to say, not impressed with the s**n handing out free t shirts in an attempt to gain popularity amongst irish support.

[geysir]

I'm not being over sensitive. I don't even bother arguing McGeady's case in the real world.
Are you trying to say that we here are not real?

[MacLondon]

I don't know if it's been said anywhere but this has been our best ever world cup campaign start.We have yet to play any of our 5 toughest games, so I wouldn't get carried away. I'd actually say that our first 3-4 games in the last World Cup qualifiers gave greater cause for optimism... and look how that turned out.


i think with the way other groups are going if we manage to finish second we won't be the worst second placed team.I'd make the Scotland/Norway group the most likely to provide 'worst second', but we could easily drop several points in 5 of our remaining 6 games. (Also Georgia finishing bottom of the group would leave us at least 2 points worse off than if Montenegro finish bottom)

[eirebhoy]

Are you trying to say that we here are not real?
I sure am. I never in my life met a geysir in this country. ;)


We have yet to play any of our 5 toughest games, so I wouldn't get carried away.
I'd rate Montenegro away as a tougher game than Bulgaria home. I was happy with a point in Montenegro. They've some brilliant players in midfield and attack. Probably as good as Bulgaria on paper. I'll be disappointed if we don't beat Bulgaria next month.

[tricky_colour]

Anyone got highlights, I left the pub in disgust after 65 minutes only to return after a few texts, with 6 minutes to go.

There is a torret here but it is in .asf format which means you have can't step backwards or forwards in the file you have to watch it as if it was live, but you can fast forward to a certain extent.
Dunno if there is a better one out there?

http://extratorrent.com/torrent/1735446/Ireland+v++Georgia--11+02+09+asf.html

[edit] Actually I just realise you can step through it!
At least you can with VLC player (didn't work in winamp).

[Newryrep]

I have to say, not impressed with the s**n handing out free t shirts in an attempt to gain popularity amongst irish support.

Gain ? I didnt know what was the more depressing, the fact that The Scum is trying to latch onto the support or the fact that large sections of our support have no qualms about accepting it.

[Scrufil]

Stiffler I don't think too many people were complaining about the t-shirts last night as it was fierce cold. They were glad of anything extra to keep out the cold.;) If you didn't like the Sun you could always wear the shirt inside out!

I had an interesting trip across Dublin in a taxi. The driver was getting texts from Andy Reid's aunt asking where they were going to watch the game. The lady cabbie referred to him as Andrew constantly rather than Andy. She said they would normally go to the matches when Andrew was playing in a group of about 60 but since the 'dispute' they will not bother going. She says he is incredibly proud to play in an Ireland shirt and takes real pride in it. Pointing out that in his last game for Sunderland he was man of the match I responded that he has to do this on a constant basis and hopefully he will get his chance again. I wonder do Ireland lose 60 paying customers every time a player does not make the squad due to a squabble?

I was approached by a reporter from the Irish Daily Star newspaper prior to the game whilst sitting in the Davin stand. Derek Foley was inquiring if I knew that the section I was in was designated as the Singing Section. I said I knew that to be the case and he asked how did I hear about this. I named this website. It seems that a lot of people in the Davin Stand were unaware that they were now in a singing section. I roared, shouted, clapped and sang my heart out all during the game but was stuck in a seat between two people who only clapped or cheered when Ireland moved near the opposition's penalty area. I hope they have headaches now from all my noise! :D The drummers at the front of the Davin stand should be commended for raising an intoxicating beat as should the lad with the bell who gave it a good oul jingle when the level of singing took a bit of a dip.

The game itself was as most have elaborated on here a game of mixed fortunes. I was very happy that the work rate was upped in the second half and I'd like to think the noise from the crowd helped to edge them on. I do wonder sometimes if certain players when playing for Ireland drop a little in confidence because they are used to huge crowds when they play with their clubs and can depend upon a certain fixed level of crowd support. Some of that Irish crowd seemed to be mere event junkies and were unwilling to lend their voices when most needed. If a player makes a mistake encouragement should be shouted not groans or snide remarks.

All the Irish players put in the yards, especially in the second half and I say well done and thank you for a brilliant result!

[Stuttgart88]

I would agree re: mcgeady, very poor first half didnt do a great deal in the second, HOWEVER he kept us attacking, kept up the momentum and had he not done this he woudln't have inspired the others to up their tempo and get about the pitch and look for ball. It was this that was his major contribution, when ireland were doing very he little he offered hope and kept things going. Very important in the overall scheme of things.
So, you're saying his consistently taking on and beating his man in the first half - including beating 4 players and having a great shot on goal after receiving the ball 60 yards from goal, and as you say " keeping us attacking, keping the momrentum and inspiring the others to up their tempo and get about the pitch and look for ball" he didn't do a geat deal. Jaysus H. What more do you want him to do?

[Razors left peg]

So, you're saying his consistently taking on and beating his man in the first half - including beating 4 players and having a great shot on goal after receiving the ball 60 yards from goal, and as you say " keeping us attacking, keping the momrentum and inspiring the others to up their tempo and get about the pitch and look for ball" he didn't do a geat deal. Jaysus H. What more do you want him to do?

exactly what I was thinking

[Stuttgart88]

I was just having a browse on calcio.it to see what the Italians thought of winning the last world cup. Now my Italian isn't great but basically it seems they all agree that they were a defensive bunch of cnuts who could only draw with ten man France and that if they call that a world cup win then they can stuff it up their arses.

The Italian Independent gave it 5/10 as world cup wins go.

[The Fly]

Don't know if this is the proper thread but.............does anyone have a link to watch a replay of the match?

[tricky_colour]

Don't know if this is the proper thread but.............does anyone have a link to watch a replay of the match?

There is a torrent here
http://extratorrent.com/torrent/1735...02+09+asf.html (http://extratorrent.com/torrent/1735446/Ireland+v++Georgia--11+02+09+asf.html)
It's is a 'stream' which mean you can only watch it in order, you can't step back or forwards. Probably best to skip the first half ;), you can fast forward at 8 times speed with VLC player.
You need a program torrent application to download it, such as this one.
http://www.download.com/uTorrent/3000-2196_4-10528327.html.

I have not seen one which you can step forwards and backwards in the file though.

[richieos]

i have a version of the full match where you can skip forwards and backwards on any video player, but where can i post it online? the file is 808 mb

[tricky_colour]

i have a version of the full match where you can skip forwards and backwards on any video player, but where can i post it online? the file is 808 mb


Actually I just realise you can step through the version I listed!!
At least you can with VLC player (didn't work in winamp).
That version is only 554mb but its pretty good quality nonetheless, I think the format means you lose fine control over play back.
Maybe you could post it here
http://www.filehosting.org/
Never used that before though, or you could seed it on a torrent site, but that's a bit more complicated I think.

[geysir]

The match on that torrent file is in .asf format
VLC can decode .asf and play it as normal.
Also Windows Media Player should be able to play it.
Most everybody, who can use torrent software to download it, should be able to play it.
It appears to be a popular item.

Edit: a supporter in exile is not a true supporter if they can´t use torrent software :)

[Stuttgart88]

In the 3 games we've fallen behind in under Trap we've gone & scored 5 goals.

Not bad for a team with no plan B.

[geysir]

Stutts, you are the virtual version of Captain Robbie on the 1/2 way line, gesticulating to the crowd to roar some more.

[eirebhoy]

I was just having a browse on calcio.it to see what the Italians thought of winning the last world cup. Now my Italian isn't great but basically it seems they all agree that they were a defensive bunch of cnuts who could only draw with ten man France and that if they call that a world cup win then they can stuff it up their arses.

The Italian Independent gave it 5/10 as world cup wins go.
I had them backed after seeing how strong they were in the friendlies running up to the WC and I thought the were excellent in the WC for the most part. They were absoulely brilliant against Ghana, Czechs and Ukraine while the Germany match was one of the games of the tournament. End to end. I loved that Italy team. :)

On the topic of Italian websites. Here's the ratings from the famous Gazzetta (Italians are pretty strict with the 8 for Keane is a rare rating):

IRLANDA (4-4-2) Given 5,5; Kelly 5, O' Shea 6, Dunne 6, Kilbane 6,5; Mc Geady 6,5, Whelan 5,5, Andrews 5,5, Duff 6 (dal 35' s.t. S. Hunt 6); Keane 8, Doyle 5,5.

[geysir]

Judging by the comments on Gazzetta there is some humourous respect for Trap in Italy.

"If Trap it had had the same fortune with Italy, for sure we would have won in 2002."

"With Trap it is always the same… advantage and catenaccio"

"mythical trap"

[shakermaker1982]

Still recovering from a marathon session around Dublin - will try and read through all the posts this evening.

I'm happy enough with the result and having got the chance to watch the second half on tv yesterday we played pretty well and kept the pressure up for the whole of the second half. First half was a shambles - getting caught cold again within minutes of kicking off needs to be eradicated.

McGeady played well in the second half but was dreadful in the first half. Good recovery but I wish the Trap would play him on the right and leave Duffer on the left. Duff is not as effective on the right and it's a waste of his talents. Doyle worked hard and Keane took his goals so no complaints for the front two.

MOM was the ref. We haven't had a bit of luck for ages and were due something. Please let this continue all the way to Africa!

[geysir]

Contrary to belief, McGeady was not dreadfull in the first half.
3 out of 9 crosses were poorly dispatched, apart from that he was well involved, accurate with his passes and never let up in the first half with his determination to make an impact.
The team were poor enough in the first half.

[Tipp Townie]

I had them backed after seeing how strong they were in the friendlies running up to the WC and I thought the were excellent in the WC for the most part. They were absoulely brilliant against Ghana, Czechs and Ukraine while the Germany match was one of the games of the tournament. End to end. I loved that Italy team. :)


I'd agree with that. And as for games of the tournament, the match v USA was pretty mental aswell! They were lucky to get through that one, despite being a man up for most of the 2nd half? But i prefer it that way in a World Cup; its boring when one team coasts through all the way. Better that the eventual winners have a few fights along the way.
Basically, i thought that althought they didnt stand head and shoulders about the rest, they deserved to win it.

Sorry, bit off-topic but just thought i'd add that..

[Tipp Townie]

http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/68573/republic-of-ireland-vs-georgia/

Only very short highlights if you happened to miss the goals...

Thanks for that Doc. I can't get any of that other torrent stuff to work (on work computer) so at least now i've seen the "penalty" incident!

Would love to see a full version of Robbie's celebration though!

[shakermaker1982]

Contrary to belief, McGeady was not dreadfull in the first half.
3 out of 9 crosses were poorly dispatched, apart from that he was well involved, accurate with his passes and never let up in the first half with his determination to make an impact.
The team were poor enough in the first half.

I didn't rate his first half efforts. I'll have to watch the first half again on dvd but would be very surprised if it changed my viewpoint.

[geysir]

Whatever opinions you have about his efforts in the first half there is no way he deserves to be singled out, above the 9 other players, to be labelled dreadful.

[Stuttgart88]

and certainly not labelled as bad as Kelly who actually lost his nerve and wanted to be somewhere else for much of the first half.

[shakermaker1982]

Whatever opinions you have about his efforts in the first half there is no way he deserves to be singled out, above the 9 other players, to be labelled dreadful.

He was only singled out by me because of how well he played in the second half. A complete transformation and it reflects well on him that he was confident enough to take on his man after a bad first half. Everybody improved in the second half but McGeady's contribution was the standout second half performance.

[Torn-Ado]

So, you're saying his consistently taking on and beating his man in the first half - including beating 4 players and having a great shot on goal after receiving the ball 60 yards from goal, and as you say " keeping us attacking, keping the momrentum and inspiring the others to up their tempo and get about the pitch and look for ball" he didn't do a geat deal. Jaysus H. What more do you want him to do?

The thing with McGeady is his errors are more glaringly obvious than other players. You could here groans from a few over hit crosses or if he got dispossessed while tryinng to beat his man.

I thought McGeady had a good first half despite a few mistakes. He always tried his utmost to be positive and looked dangerous. Him and Duff will be very important in this campaign.