Italy V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 1st April 2009 - World Cup 2010 Q

[wexfordned]

Good battling performance & fair play to them for keeping going to the end.

O'Shea finally starting to show some leadership in an Ireland shirt. Stephen Hunt also did well although he would be better off staying on his feet rather than falling over theatrically everytime an opposition player tries to tackle him.

Real lack of pace out wide seemed to be a problem last night. McGeady and Duff missed for that.

Right hand side was a big problem last night & Ireland where lucky with the red card as it stopped them from using that channel. McShane is a liability. He is an average centre half & as a right back wouldn't get a game for Bohs.

Keogh looked totally out of his depth & his ball control for a professional footballer is appaling.

A draw in Sofia should be enough to secure 2nd place in the group

[Stuttgart88]

lads anyone else think noel hunt scored ??I thought it looked like that when I saw the first or second replay alright.

[Stuttgart88]

RTE did an interesting analysis of our CM last night, showing clips of neither player showing for the ball when a CB or FB had the ball, and neither being particurly keen to support in attack either. Keeping the shape was far more important. Last night was a different story though, Whelan, Andrews and Gibson constantly looking for it and using it well, bringing others into the game.

I still thought set pieces were poor again.

We got a bit of luck for the goal as far as I can remember: we had possession inside their half but an Italian guy was injured. After the dropped ball it was quite fairly played back to Shay insted of deep for a goal kick or a throw and it was the resulting kick that was flicked on for the goal.

[geysir]

That's not luck, that's part a football game.
Those clips were from the Bulgaria game I think.

CM was the second biggest plus last night, totally different tempo right from the ko.
It's obvious that Trap wanted more mobility along with shape (therefore he wouldn't consider Carsley any game anytime).
First plus for Trap last night was tactically taking full advantage of the extra man, preempting Lippi as if Trap knew exactly what Lippi and the Italian team would do next.

[hunt4the]

Great result was delighted for robbie it would have been greatest result ever if he'd of popped that shinner in.

For a team supposedly working on set pieces all week they were terrible, duffer and a (fit) McGeady would have had a field day.

As it was Hunt had a great game if we hadnt of went one up so early against the bulgars I think Hunt would have been very effective running at them as defending and patience is definately not his forte.....

Still think Italy have pole position wrapped up, a result in Sofia is a must for us to get to the playoffs where we'll get Norn Iron in the draw :)

Group 8 14 Oct 2009 ;)
Italy 22
ROI 19
Bul 16

[Duggie]

lads anyone else think noel hunt scored ??

robbie must have got it from his celebration, if hunt had then keano would have said after. has to be robbies.

[rebelmusic]

I think that game would have suited Stephen Reid, he's a much better version of Gibson, but also has Andrew's robust qualities. When is he due back does anyone know? Is the Bulgaria away game too soon for him?


Apparently he's on track to be fit for pre season, so we'll have him back for italy at home at least

[Scram]

Italian defence was uneasy all night mainly because of Hunt , culminating in Grosso's yellow card. Stephen will lose the ball and some of his crosses were not up to scratch but the plusses far outweigh the less positive and was probably our Man of the Match last pm

Agree with that totally. If you could sum up all that was good and a bit of what was bad, it would be "Stephen Hunt" Certainly agree for MOTM.

[fergalr]

robbie must have got it from his celebration, if hunt had then keano would have said after. has to be robbies.

“I saw the ball coming down and Caleb (Folan) getting the knock down,” said the Reading striker. “Robbie was there and we both went for it but I got a toe to it and it went in. I went one way to celebrate and Robbie went the other after him (Folan).

“Eventually I had to join in with them but I was on top of Robbie shouting down at him: “It’s my goal, it’s my goal,” and he was there just laughing.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0402/1224243863582.html

[Duggie]

surely robbie would have mentioned it.

[mypost]

Great result, great spirit, but can't ignore the luckiness!

We can ignore the "luckiness", until the end of the campaign.

We came for a point, we got it. Doesn't matter how we got it. If we fail to qualify, then we can say we didn't do this right, and we didn't do that right.

[Jicked]

Haha, looks like Brian Kerr has made a bit of a name for himself in Italy.

Gazzetta Dello Sport's headline about the game is
"Now in Ireland believe they can finish first", the sub being (thanks to an awful online translation) "The Irish newspapers receive with favor (but also with a bit of sorrow) the draw against Italy: “The march towards the South Africa continues”. Praise is given to captain Keane, appreciation for Trapattoni. But as usual Brian Kerr attacks the trainer: “Game orrendo”

[Hibernian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNbJaQu1jz8&feature=related

loved the Irish fans going wild.

Must say I think you many be right about the goal it may have been Hunt

[tetsujin1979]

Haha, looks like Brian Kerr has made a bit of a name for himself in Italy.
He's making a bit of a name for himself here too. Not a particularly good one either.
Here's his review of the game: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0402/1224243863590.html
Bitter, bitter man.

[fergalr]

surely robbie would have mentioned it.

By the same token - surely Noel would not have said what he did say?

[Jicked]

Haha, looks like Brian Kerr has made a bit of a name for himself in Italy.

Gazzetta Dello Sport's headline about the game is
"Now in Ireland believe they can finish first", the sub being (thanks to an awful online translation) "The Irish newspapers receive with favor (but also with a bit of sorrow) the draw against Italy: “The march towards the South Africa continues”. Praise is given to captain Keane, appreciation for Trapattoni. But as usual Brian Kerr attacks the trainer: “Game orrendo”


They go on to laugh at Kerr staking claims for players like Morisson, Reid and Carsley and say "But at this point he knows himself, even if the Irish gained a most improbable World Cup trophy in South Africa, with the Trap in the dugout Kerr would have always something to complain about.

:D

[Duggie]

By the same token - surely Noel would not have said what he did say?

hmmm ya, bit strange though given the way robbie celebrated if he didnt touch it, u know. plus he was credideted with it so its his now. anyway it went in thats all that matters.

[strangeirish]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNbJaQu1jz8&feature=related

loved the Irish fans going wild.

Must say I think you many be right about the goal it may have been Hunt
'Gola! Di Robbie Keane a!':D There could be a song in that somewhere.

[Noelys Guitar]

Did you see the look on Lippi's face in those last few mins of extra time? He like I thought we were going to get the win. Stephen Hunt was brilliant. Winning free kicks in dangerous positions. Playing Robbie Keane in between Doyle and the midfield was the master stroke for me. It made it easier for Andrews and Whelan and Keane brought them into the game from the first min. Very happy this morning. We can win this group. I am convinced we can win in Bulgaria.

[Shilts]

lads anyone else think noel hunt scored ??

I've watched it a few times and I agree with you RogerMilla - Noel Hunt got it!!!

[Colbert Report]

I don't really think the whole 'top eight of nine runners up' thing is very fair to us. Montenegro is a brand new country and did not deserve to be a sixth seed. I would love it if we topped the group and Italy finished as the ninth best runner up. It would be a nice kick in the teeth for FIFA to have the defending world champions miss the World Cup.

If we are to win the group, we'll have to beat Italy in Dublin come October. They'd also have to drop points in two of their three matches against Bulgaria, Georgia and Cyprus. Not going to happen. We need help to avoid finishing ninth of nine runners up, mainly due to the Montenegro seeding issue.

[DotTV]

I don't really think the whole 'top eight of nine runners up' thing is very fair to us. Montenegro is a brand new country and did not deserve to be a sixth seed. I would love it if we topped the group and Italy finished as the ninth best runner up. It would be a nice kick in the teeth for FIFA to have the defending world champions miss the World Cup.

If we are to win the group, we'll have to beat Italy in Dublin come October. They'd also have to drop points in two of their three matches against Bulgaria, Georgia and Cyprus. Not going to happen. We need help to avoid finishing ninth of nine runners up, mainly due to the Montenegro seeding issue.

Group nine only has five teams though. So really it's the second place finishers from the other groups

[Shilts]

Group nine only has five teams though. So really it's the second place finishers from the other groups

Its not the 6th seed games that don't count but the games against the team that finishes 6th, I think! This will change dramatically as the groups progress.

[antrimgreen]

Stupid me thought that 2nd was automatic into the play offs, well it should be with the 2 teams with the least points per game average playing each other in a premliary 1 leg neutral venue to progress to the last 8 in the play offs. How good would it be to top the group --- gotta dream lads.

[jmurphyc]

Group nine only has five teams though. So really it's the second place finishers from the other groups

But for the rest of the groups the results against the team that finishes bottom are knocked off, otherwise it would be an unfair advantage.

As for Kerr's comments, whatever you make of Stephen Ireland, it's a bit rich of him to be saying that Trap should be making more of an effort to get him back.

[Closed Account]

I've watched it a few times and I agree with you RogerMilla - Noel Hunt got it!!!
I agree, definately Noel Hunts goal.

[drummerboy]

He'd hardly let Keane take the plaudits if he scored it.

[antrimgreen]

I agree also Noel hunt got it, weird that RTE didn't pick up on that. Would Dunphy have still slatted trap for bringing on Hunt for Doyle if he knew he actually scored.

[Closed Account]

Making a case for glory: Hunt claims goal (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0402/1224243863582.html)



AS his captain made his way past and towards the team bus at the San Nicola stadium in Bari last night, Noel Hunt staked a claim to the goal that earned Ireland a famous draw with the world champions in their own backyard and kept strengthened the team’s hand in the battle for qualification, writes EMMET MALONE
“I saw the ball coming down and Caleb (Folan) getting the knock down,” said the Reading striker. “Robbie was there and we both went for it but I got a toe to it and it went in. I went one way to celebrate and Robbie went the other after him (Folan).
“Eventually I had to join in with them but I was on top of Robbie shouting down at him: “It’s my goal, it’s my goal,” and he was there just laughing.
“Really, I don’t care, though, the main thing is that we got the point and through the last bit out there it rally felt as if we could go on and win it. We had them pegged back through the second half and with a bit of luck we would have beaten them. As it is, they were down to 10 men but we still had the better of Italy at their place.”
Keane, meanwhile, insisted that the Irish have put themselves right back in contention for the group’s top spot after their hopes appeared to falter at Croke Park on Saturday night.
“It was great to get the goal in the end, but we deserved it,” said the Irish captain, who still seemed to reckon he had just scored the 38th goal of his international career.
“It you go behind to the Italians you know it’s going to be tough but we stuck at it and I don’t think they could have complained too much if we’d got the win.
“We had a lot of possession even it we didn’t do much with it for spells but we got the goal and we’re still hanging in there (contesting first place in Group Eight with Italy).”

[DotTV]

But for the rest of the groups the results against the team that finishes bottom are knocked off, otherwise it would be an unfair advantage.
As for Kerr's comments, whatever you make of Stephen Ireland, it's a bit rich of him to be saying that Trap should be making more of an effort to get him back.

That might benefit us as it negates other teams goal difference from hammering the minnows.

[richieos]

can see us going unbeaten for the whole campaign now, which should see us into the playoffs

[SkStu]

now that the dust has settled, i have a few comments.

1) great result and a very positive display. If we can reproduce some of that play in our upcoming matches and not invite teams on to us all the time we can win this group potentially. It is a big "if" though. Posibly the best thing we could do is stop scoring early goals! Most importantly we need to be brave and look to kill off teams - our destiny is now actually in our own hands as i do see this Italian team dropping a couple more points along the way.

2) that was a red card offence, the more i see it. The way he jumped up with his arms and elbows out is against the rules. You dont see them given often but by the rules the ref did the right thing.

3) Folan did some sterling work when he came on and how he got his head on that ball for the goal was a great show of determination. I remember being very impressed with him in one of the friendlies (was it Poland?). Id like to see him more involved in the future. He offers us something we havent had since Quinner.

[geysir]

It looked to be at least reckless endangerment but the ref made a few peculiar looking decisions so I don't know if I can trust his close observation.
Heinze wouldn't have lasted 30 seconds out there.

Sofia will be a different game (deeply profound statement).

[paul_oshea]

Lads I think trap was brilliant with his tactics last night and showed intent, bringing robbie out to the midfield was class(given we hadn't reid)moving oshea out to the right for a more attacking threat, taking off keogh so early realising that in the type of game we were playing and with pazzini gone we needed to exploit it as much as we could. Bringing on hunt for doyle was also a very good move, doyle was shattered by that stage, as was evident by the cross he gave before it he couldn't get any power in it. I Have to say Trap got it very right last night and that is why he is the man he is and won so much, staunton or kerr would never have the gumption to make those changes yesterday, not even sure mccarthy would have had the temperment to do that either. Just brilliant and well done Trap.

Thought we were very good at holding onto the ball yesterday, granted we were given a lot of space which wont happen in bulgaria, but i think with 2 wingers there as well we could have a good chance. I noticed when andrews was taken off he appeared to be doing a whole lot better than whelan but whelan really came into the game when gibson came on, so maybe there is something there that whelan is being told and we dont realise.....

Anyway it felt like we won yesterday, robbie is annoying the way he goes on, with all his cliches as thats all he was capable of learning :rolleyes: but he tried so hard for his country last night and never stopped running, on that alone he deserved the goal. Dunne was class you could see the delight in his eyes and his honesty was refreshing just like the ruggers after the 6 nations win. But I do think we had the opportunity to win it and should have won it.....Buffon is class.

[Celtic Fan]

This match wasn't available in Scotland, can someone please send me a copy of the match on DVD....I'll pay for any cost's.

Cheer's.

[Colbert Report]

Why don't you just download the torrent off fbtz.com/forum?

[geysir]

I don't see it there.

There is a good quality version available on irishtorrents.

[Colbert Report]

It is on fbtz. Russian commentary though. How do you get a membership for irishtorrents?

[Den Perry]

I may get slated for this, but I thought Stephen Hunt played brilliantly.


Better than usual and won a lot of frees to be fair, but his passing and touch leave a lot to be desired

[Den Perry]

If Trap is going to use Folan as a impact sub for his stature, he should seriously think about Delap to supply the ammunition when we are chasing a game. Can you imagine at 0-0 against Italy in Croker with 15 minutes to go and bring on these two guys. Think it would strike fear into the Italian defence.

very good point!!

[The Bunk]

Thought we were very good at holding onto the ball yesterday, granted we were given a lot of space which wont happen in bulgaria, but i think with 2 wingers there as well we could have a good chance. I noticed when andrews was taken off he appeared to be doing a whole lot better than whelan but whelan really came into the game when gibson came on, so maybe there is something there that whelan is being told and we dont realise.....

When any poor player is given space they can play well. You have to remember they were holding the ball mostly by passing it to the defenders, all very safe passes and nothing to risky, whereas Gibson tried adventurous passes - which were not always successful but very promising.

I agree with you on how Whelan came alive when Gibson came on, because I was originally gobsmacked when Andrews came off instead of Whelan, as Andrews was solid, and Whelan barely got his name mentioned by the commentators.

[paul_oshea]

geysir did you have that drink?!

[tricky_colour]

This match wasn't available in Scotland, can someone please send me a copy of the match on DVD....I'll pay for any cost's.

Cheer's.


I think there will be a copy available soon online as a download, looks like
tetsujin1979 will be makin one available for download, he did a great one of the Bulgaria game, it will certaiinly be quicker and cheaper than a DVD - assuming you have broadband. If you have dial-up it woud probably take untill next Christmas, the last one was 1.6 gig.

http://foot.ie/forums/showthread.php?t=114555&page=5

[geysir]

It is on fbtz. Russian commentary though. How do you get a membership for irishtorrents?
Can you not register?
Is it closed for new members?
I must have found the wormhole in the basement.

Then you need an invite.
It's dead handy for Irish sports, recent and old, even considering it's
slower than a McShane outstretched leg.

[geysir]

geysir did you have that drink?!

Thanks for asking Paul, actually I had 2, considering the occasion.
The sacrifices we make :D

[craig7042]

Better than usual and won a lot of frees to be fair, but his passing and touch leave a lot to be desired

I actually admire his attitude so much. His interview before the game was class and the panel were scumbags to sneer at him. He's exciting

[eirebhoy]

Glenn Whelan 70 (89%)
Richard Dunne 53 (96%)
John O'Shea 52 (96%)
Keith Andrews 46 (85%)
Kevin Kilbane 44 (77%)
Paul McShane 43 (98%)
Robbie Keane 38 (87%)
Darron Gibson 24 (92%)
Shay Given 18 (100%)
Caleb Folan 17 (94%)
Stephen Hunt 16 (94%)
Kevin Doyle 15 (73%)
Andrew Keogh 7 (100%)
Noel Hunt 6 (67%)
---
Total 449 (90%)

Italy's highest was De Rossi with 41 passes and an 83% success rate.

Stats here:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/world-cup-qual/2008/italy-rep-ireland-249455.html

[tetsujin1979]

This match wasn't available in Scotland, can someone please send me a copy of the match on DVD....I'll pay for any cost's.

Cheer's.
http://foot.ie/forums/showpost.php?p=1136410&postcount=94
Enjoy
Any problem, just PM me

[Stuttgart88]

Richard Dunne 53 (96%)
John O'Shea 52 (96%)
[/url] Reminds me of the time Hansen & Lawrenson just passed it to themselves for about 5 minutes!

Great stats though, interesting.

[paul_oshea]

Thanks for asking Paul, actually I had 2, considering the occasion.
The sacrifices we make :D

Thats ok geysir, well after all these years 2 would feel like 10 I would say!!! What was the tipple?

Reading back through everyones post from about page 7 to 13 during and just after the match was just brilliant to be honest, the natural reaction of all posters was top notch. :)