Republic of Ireland V Germany - Thursday, 8th October 2015 - Euro 2016 Qualifier

[tricky_colour]

I still cannot believe it.

So many immense performances tonight - Keogh, Ward, McCarthy, Christie, Hoolahan. Deserve every plaudit they get.

Football - bloody hell.


Yea it was a right team performance, so often we often have our hopes pinned on one or two players hoping
they will be available.


For me Wesi was great, there was moment in the first half where he pick up the ball and Waltz around
and nobody could touch him, it was so nice to see that confidence on the ball in the midfield where is
was so often missing. But not just Wesi as I said, team performance and as NI have shown that
is what *really* wins matches.

[geysir]

The rain, here she comes, for our parade.
Not on my parade.

[BonnieShels]

Not on my parade.

The snow, here she comes, for your parade.

[gastric]

Brilliant win! That last 10 minutes was so hard to watch. The Germans genuinely seemed to lack ideas at the end. The ESPN commentator made a great point towards the end saying to take 4 points off Germany at any time is a fantastic result, which is so true. Even better from a depleted squad.

[Closed Account 2]

Wow... Can't believe we've taken 4 points off the World Champions... Dreamland... Pow what a hit by Shane Long, put it in the mixer and bang! Is that an assist for Randolph on his debut!

[Closed Account]

Wow wow wow. Shane long forever to be a sub. Love him. Robbie, there's a name for your child.

[tricky_colour]

So are Poland ahead of us on tiebreakers? e.g. Do we still have to win on Sunday to finish second?

Not 100% but that is how I see it, if we draw they have better goal difference by 9 so I don't see
how we could finish above them whatever method is used.

However there is pressure on them, playing for a draw is tempting fate, we have nothing to lose
really but we can't throw caution to the wind either, but we beat Germany so anything can happen.

Mind you so did Poland, 2-0!

Same team again?

[tricky_colour]

Wow wow wow. Shane long forever to be a sub. Love him. Robbie, there's a name for your child.

Long Keane?

[Bottle of Tonic]

On cloud 9. Cannot recall last time sport made me feel this good. I'm drained after the last 20 minutes. Hands sweated litres!

[rebelmusic]

Think of it like a playoff. If we score 2 we have better home/away goal difference. So 2-2 minimum for us to qualify. Goal difference doesn't matter unless we draw 1-1

[tricky_colour]

Brilliant win! That last 10 minutes was so hard to watch. The Germans genuinely seemed to lack ideas at the end. The ESPN commentator made a great point towards the end saying to take 4 points off Germany at any time is a fantastic result, which is so true. Even better from a depleted squad.

I think when you do have a 'depleted' team everyone has to step up to the mark and do their bit, not rely on
some plan based on the 'top' players, so a great effort from the lads all round and a great scalp to take!

[tricky_colour]

Think of it like a playoff. If we score 2 we have better home/away goal difference. So 2-2 minimum for us to qualify. Goal difference doesn't matter unless we draw 1-1

Ah now, that sounds interesting, as I said I am unsure of the method, mind you scoring two sound tough but Scotland did it, so
maybe we can learn something form that.

[geysir]

All those years wasted under Trap.

Ill repeat that a few days over so no one misses it.
Fortunately O'Neill selected Wes thinking he was man enough for the challenge unlike those Trappists who thought Wes would be ineffective and bossed around physically in such a game.

[Closed Account 2]

As an aside I don't think we can catch Hungary in the best third place table can we? And also if they pip Romania into second I don't think we can catch them... Greece are bottom in that group and they can't catch Faeroes

[The Fly]

Why the hell did George Hamilton say near the end of the match that it was great for us that Poland equalized?

(I feel the need to make a public apology to any midgets or dwarves within a 100 yard radius of my TV who may have overheard a torrent of abuse aimed at all vertically challenged people)

[Metrostars]

Think of it like a playoff. If we score 2 we have better home/away goal difference. So 2-2 minimum for us to qualify. Goal difference doesn't matter unless we draw 1-1

What happens if Germany loses to Georgia and we all finish on 19 points? Then it's a mini table between us all, right? Something like this:

IRE (1W 3D) 6 pts
POL (1W 2D 1L) 5pts
GER (1W 1D 2L) 4pts

[Closed Account 2]

Why the hell did George Hamilton say near the end of the match that it was great for us that Poland equalized?

(I feel the need to make a public apology to any midgets or dwarves within a 100 yard radius of my TV who may have overheard a torrent of abuse aimed at all vertically challenged people)

I guess in case we conceded. If our game had ended 1-1 that equaliser for Poland meant we would still be guaranteed minimum 3rd

[NeverFeltBetter]

I think, like a lot of people, Hamilton never even factored in what result in Scotland would benefit Ireland if Ireland beat Germany, so just blurted that out without any real consideration. I mean, you could even see the crowd start cheering when the news came in.

[SkStu]

What can I say that hasn't already been said. The best 11 man performance I've seen since beating Italy in USA 94. That was a back line that had no right keeping a clean sheet against the attacking 5 of Germany. Incredible stuff altogether.

Christie had a poor first half but was immense in the second. Definitely grew in stature and hopefully will kick on for Derby. Ward was fantastic - I had my doubts, grave doubts, but he didn't put a foot wrong. Keogh and O'Shea put everything on the line for us. Heroic stuff. From all the back four. Given and Randolph, dare I say it, hadn't a whole lot to save. Most of Germany's chances were off target or bravely defended. Lovely assist from Randolph though! Haha!

Hoolahan if only we'd known you longer (us LOI heads did, mind). Brady didn't put a foot wrong and got back to pressure Schurrle off his shot when Neuer set them on the counter and Gotze crossed, some work rate covering for Ward. McCarhty was imperious, I hope people start to appreciate the job he does for us and has been doing all through the campaign. Hendrick is the future. For all the Hoolahan doesn't panic and keeps the ball, he has a kindred spirit in Unbelievable Jeff Hendrick. Walters was my man of the match. I lost count of the number of times he won the ball and won it back. Unplayable tonight.

Murphy was the wrong choice in my opinion but can't fault him. Right choice over Keane obviously. Long broke them with his pace as I predicted would be our best chance to beat them - pace in the channels.

A couple more observations.

Firstly, I have never ever ever seen an Irish team kill a game in the last five minutes the way this team did today. Keep ball in the corners for close to five minutes v Germany. Unheard of. Incredible.

Secondly, you never play for a draw (are you reading Trap?). Dare I say it Germany came for the point today? And left with nothing.

Enjoy your days/nights lads, wherever you are in the world!

[geysir]

I think, like a lot of people, Hamilton never even factored in what result in Scotland would benefit Ireland if Ireland beat Germany, so just blurted that out without any real consideration. I mean, you could even see the crowd start cheering when the news came in.
You can forgive the crowd cheering anything, corner/throw in /tackle/missed tackle/ easy goalkeeper save etc etc, but George should have known better going into injury time and there was no siege.

[Olé Olé]

So awesome. Randolph, Christie, Hendrick, Hoolahan, Long, Brady... I could go on.

What's better is that we're in such a positive position heading into the game against Poland. Coleman, Whelan and McClean to come back with the former pair most very likely to start. I would like to see Coleman pushed up to the right side of midfield. I think Christie was too good to drop and Coleman is too good to leave out.

However, Whelan is probably going to start and Hendrick, McCarthy and Hoolahan also have to start after their performances. As regards Whelan starting, he's a favourite of MON and I've been happy with him over the last few games. On the assumption that that trio won't be as good on Sunday, he has to play.

I'm still unable to figure how we'll fit players into our team. Randolph in goals is probably the most certain, assuming Given is out. The rest of the 10 has to come from: Christie, Coleman, O'Shea, either Keogh (impressed me tonight) or Wilson (has been decent in past and Keogh is reputed to have a mistake in him), Brady, Whelan, McCarthy, Hoolahan, Long, Hendrick, Walters and McClean. What 3 are left out? One of Keogh and Wilson, probably McClean and????

Oh, and I haven't even included Ward in there. He was solid tonight, much to my surprise.

[DannyD]

This result is as significant as Ireland's one nill over England in 88. I kid you not.

[boovidge]

Even better from this angle?

http://rutube.ru/video/ea22458563e770dc3d3268dd01843e9d/

[Crosby87]

Congrats guys. Happy for you all.

[geysir]

Murphy was totally the wrong choice but I would decline the choice to play the match again without him starting.

One key tonight was Brady playing through the middle alongside Hoolahan and McCarthy.

[paul_oshea]

Fortunately O'Neill selected Wes thinking he was man enough for the challenge unlike those Trappists who thought Wes would be ineffective and bossed around physically in such a game.

Ha touche! But he hadn't shown that against a physical side bar Italy before, usually bossed off the ball(which did happen a few time tonight). he still messed about on a couple of very important occasions but overall he was good.

i've never seen wessi run so much!

[paul_oshea]

Murphy was totally the wrong choice but I would decline the choice to play the match again without him starting.

One key tonight was Brady playing through the middle alongside Hoolahan and McCarthy.

I said on our whatsapp group with mates from home before the lineup if murphy starts he will be subbed on 70 and long on. I think its a smart motivational factor for O'Neill and Long like Mcclean is more effective coming off the bench.


If there was a murphy II with speed im sure he would be picked over murphy I for starting but long would still be coming on with 20 plus minutes to go.

[Eirambler]

Obviously hoping we can beat Poland but what's the story with playoff seeding now - that result must help our chances of being seeded which might give us a crack at someone like Albania or Slovenia instead of Holland or Croatia if we don't qualify automatically? Maybe a revenge mission against Israel...

Unfortunately we can't get the best third place spot.

[Charlie Darwin]

I never doubted Shane Long's finishing, not for a second.

[tricky_colour]

What happens if Germany loses to Georgia and we all finish on 19 points? Then it's a mini table between us all, right? Something like this:

IRE (1W 3D) 6 pts
POL (1W 2D 1L) 5pts
GER (1W 1D 2L) 4pts

Sure is complicated stuff, I'd be surprised if the players are aware of all the combination as I
am not, you really need an accountant to figure out where you are.

[Crosby87]

Did you bet tricky? Do you know what the odds were?

[pineapple stu]

Germany aren't going to lose to Georgia, so it's going to be irrelevant.

Pub I was in erupted when Poland equalised. I guess they either (a) had forgotten we were beating Germany or (b) could see a last-gasp Germany equaliser which, while Scotland were winning, meant we would have been out.

Still a pain in the hole, especially given how scrappy it was.

Just like in the game in Gelsenkirchen, the Germans were amazingly lax in front of goal. Stat came up shortly after half time that we'd had the only shot on target in the game to date! Amazing stuff; was like watching a San Marino game at times. We could barely hold on to the ball, the Germans' pressing was superb - and yet we won.

Last 20 minutes still wasn't a patch on Dudelange v UCD though. :)

[davidatrb]

Did you bet tricky? Do you know what the odds were?

It looks like it was 11/2 for an Ireland win.

[backstothewall]

It looks like it was 11/2 for an Ireland win.

A friend of mine got it at 7/1. Only had a fiver on it but still. I'd say we busted a brave few coupons there tonight

[davidatrb]

Obviously hoping we can beat Poland but what's the story with playoff seeding now - that result must help our chances of being seeded which might give us a crack at someone like Albania or Slovenia instead of Holland or Croatia if we don't qualify automatically? Maybe a revenge mission against Israel...

Unfortunately we can't get the best third place spot.

This is what I figure....

Group A
Turkey - we would be seeded above depending on results - definitely seeded above if we draw with Poland
Netherlands - never going to be seeded above

Group B
Israel - we will be seeded above no matter what
Bosnia - we definitely wont

Group C
Ukraine - would prefer they beat Spain and so be the best 3rd place. Then no risk we have to play them

Group E
Slovenia - we will be seeded above now no matter what

Group F
Hungary - Currently top placed 3rd so automatic qualifiers - we could out seed them if we beat Poland and they draw with Greece but if we beat Poland it wont even matter

Group G
Sweden - we wont be seeded above

Group H
Croatia - we wont be seeded above
Norway - i think there is a good chance even if we lose to Poland that we will be seeded above Norway if they fail to beat Italy.

Group I
Albania - we will definitely be seeded above
Denmark - we will be seeded above if we draw, but wont be if we lose ....

According to my calculations

[AlanOB]

O’Neill’s diamond frustrates sedate Germans after weathering early storm (https://tacticstruck2.wordpress.com/2015/10/08/oneills-diamond-frustrates-sedate-germans-after-weathering-early-storm/)A bit of tactical analysis on tonight's game there if anyone's interested - as I seek to move away from my usual junior soccer output :p

[tricky_colour]

Yes German go home with their tail between their legs. ;)

[nigel-harps1954]

I'm home a lot later, and a lot more drunk, from the pub than expected.

I sold my damn ticket to the match last night because I couldn't get a babysitter.

Feeling sick in so many ways.

[Crosby87]

Is there going to be a slight babyboom nine months from today? you Randy chaps.

[geysir]

The enduring image

http://e1.365dm.com/15/10/800x600/shane-long-republic-of-ireland-germany-goal_3361099.jpg

[Stuttgart88]

O’Neill’s diamond frustrates sedate Germans after weathering early storm (https://tacticstruck2.wordpress.com/2015/10/08/oneills-diamond-frustrates-sedate-germans-after-weathering-early-storm/)A bit of tactical analysis on tonight's game there if anyone's interested - as I seek to move away from my usual junior soccer output :p
Thanks Alsn, but I think tactical analysis goes out the window. Concede chances but no goals, make one chance all night, win. Not complaining mind you, that's the beauty of football.

That's exactly the kind of chance you'd back Long to take. Laces through it, goal. Brilliant. I cant believe he doesn't start even if he has proved his worth as an impact sub.

Randolph had a swagger and arrogance about him tonight that I loved. I like to read a keeper's body language and he was on the money tonight. O'Shea was class, Wes likewise bar one brain fart, Keogh made a monster intervention in the first half and Christie recovered from a nervous start. I thought McCarthy didn't do enough in first half but had a good second, as did everyone really.

A bit of a flukey win but so what. 14 years waiting. The nation needs a reminder that there's another sport in this country.

[MeathDrog]

The enduring image

http://e1.365dm.com/15/10/800x600/shane-long-republic-of-ireland-germany-goal_3361099.jpg
I never seen a ground erupt after a goal like that before. It was amazing.

[tricky_colour]

It looks like it was 11/2 for an Ireland win.


I got 6-1, however it was saying 7-1 but when I tried to place the bet it said the odds are now 6-1. I guess that is one of the little tricks they use to attract you.

I had seen we had not won in the last 6 games or so which kind of put me off, I mean it looked like we would never win.
Looks like the match had just started, I think maybe a late rush of patriotic money from Ireland shortened the odds?



08/10/2015 19:49:35 BST
0000154 (https://account.ladbrokes.com/en/account-history?initialTab=sports#)
Single (Win)
1
£ 1.00
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Germany
Match betting
Republic of Ireland
6/1
£ 7.00

[tricky_colour]

I never seen a ground erupt after a goal like that before. It was amazing.

And there is me watching on a stream and I hear the roar of the crowd go up and I can't see if the ball is in the net or not cos it is too effing blurry :livid:!!!

[thischarmingman]

I think I woke the neighbours up (the goal came around 7am here). Magic scenes.

[tricky_colour]

Will go down as one of the great Irish results.

[tricky_colour]

Have both Ireland and NI ever both qualified for a major tournament?

[gastric]

Not for the same tournament in the same year methinks!

[boovidge]

Yeah and we won it

http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01319/robbiekeane_1319521a.jpg

[tricky_colour]

Don't think we had to qualify though? Just exist?