Italy V Republic of Ireland - Tuesday, 7th June 2011 - Friendly - Liege

[legendz]

Noticed a few people mention they flicked on TG4 last night expecting to see highlights of the game but when they realised it was full deferred coverage, they switched off. Felt the same. I'd have watched highlights of the game having watched it but the whole game again is a bit much.

[tetsujin1979]

and lost to Mexico....and lost to Holland when it mattered...mattered mattered mattered

Good thing it didn't matter against Italy or Norway then!

[ArdeeBhoy]

For AB - positivity is temporary, pessimism is permanent.

You've lost me??

[legendz]

In any talk of '94 I have to say we missed a chance against Norway to top the group. If we had, we'd have avoided Florida. All wishful thinking etc. there could have been a path taking on Bulgaria in the Giants Stadium, the next hurdle could've entailed a big clash with Germany in the Giants Stadium. The next game then would've been a rematch with Italy in the Giants Stadium. All wishful thinking on the way things could've gone different. It would've been some hell of a World Cup. Considering Ireland continued on an upward curve, beating Portugal, until the wheels came off big time after the Liechtenstein disaster, it is plausible having won the group, there could've been a good run.

[geysir]

Without Quinn, Cas recovering from injury, Robbie Keane was 14 and Aldo was nearing 40. We could only go so far with Tommy Coyne

[paul_oshea]

Good thing it didn't matter against Italy or Norway then!

the point was we played Holland in a friendly and lost when it mattered. people creaming themselves over the 2-0 win over Italy. friendlies mean nothing.winning means everything when you do it when it matters against the big teams. and if we had been playing Italy yesterday in a cup final type game im sure they would have won.

[geysir]

Last time we played Italy when it mattered over 2 games, we drew twice.
But of course it was down to luck, or Italy were cráp, I forget which.

[Stuttgart88]

Concerns from the Macedonia game still exist, and would still worry because of them that we're going to hit a big speedbump; but there's no denying the value of a win like this, just from a morale point of view.

Only a friendly, but a win by (in effect) the Ireland B-Team means that squad should now be extremely competitive, and all players out to give 100%. Ha; don't let the door hit you on the way out mr. Stokes.

Can't argue with that.

We were only a well struck Italian free kick away from a different result.

Better to be winning than losing.

[Stuttgart88]

the point was we played Holland in a friendly and lost when it mattered. people creaming themselves over the 2-0 win over Italy. friendlies mean nothing.winning means everything when you do it when it matters against the big teams. and if we had been playing Italy yesterday in a cup final type game im sure they would have won.

Do you go around telling 5 year olds that Santa doesn't exist?

Nobody is creaming himself. It's nice to beat Italy. The ROI team is our team, like others support Bohs, United or Celtic. We get happy when we win. Nobody is under any illusions that we're suddenly a classy outfit. But we are a well drilled and committed outfit who have better players due to return from injury and suspension. We are maybe two big results away from qualifying so I, for one, am quite excited.

[geysir]

You are not to suppose to enjoy Ireland winning. Once the team wins you're supposed to look for reasons to reduce the pleasure.

[legendz]

Do you go around telling 5 year olds that Santa doesn't exist?

Nobody is creaming himself. It's nice to beat Italy. The ROI team is our team, like others support Bohs, United or Celtic. We get happy when we win. Nobody is under any illusions that we're suddenly a classy outfit. But we are a well drilled and committed outfit who have better players due to return from injury and suspension. We are maybe two big results away from qualifying so I, for one, am quite excited.

Agreed with this. I enjoyed the win but would not be expecting us to be world beater all of a sudden. I'd have to agree with Trap on the point of mentality. Croatia will be a good test ahead of the September games. From here we can only look one game at a time. Slovakia are up next, a win is crucial.

[Gather round]

And interesting to see a certain rotund poster make his away 'debut' in Europe!

Was Andy Reid actually playing?

I enjoyed a very solid performance. For all their possession, Italy never looked like scoring. It was all trying to walk it in, like Arsenal v weak English PL teams, or eventually pot shots from 30-35m. Most of which were charged down by the midfielders.

[OwlsFan]

Only a fool would think that we could beat Italy at the WC Finals or Holland in a qualifier when it matters

That friendly was against a Holland team ready to board the plane for the Finals the next day. Each game should be taken on its merits.

It remains to be seen how we approach the next 2 qualifiers.
The recent evidence is that we are growing as a squad in the right direction and winning games.

The point is not to read too much in to a result in a friendly. I was thinking more in terms of winning big away games. Of course we have won big matches in neutral venues.

I am a fan of Trap and have defended him against the knee jerkers once a result goes pear shaped. I am sure many calling for his head following the Russian game now think we're on the road to Poland and the Ukraine. His record away from home in competitive games is excellent. Will we get anything in Moscow? Could this be the long awaited big away win (ignoring 90 minutes in Paris) that some of us have waited for since Scotland in 1987? I don't see us being beaten but we need to win to equalise the result in Dublin. I am not sure.

Then there are the home games against Slovakia and Armenia. The Celtic Cup aside, I am not sure if I have seen an impressive home performance under Trap and even in that competition we struggled to beat the Scots. We don't dominate teams at home but each step at a time I suppose. I enjoyed the last few games but let's not fool ourselves that some players are better than they are. Many are not even getting their games in Championship sides. It's down to Trap and his system but now is not the time to be found out. Let's hope our better players are back by the time the big ones come around.

[Stuttgart88]

I agree Owls fan, but for me one of the positives was that some of our lesser lights, like O'Dea, have emerged as credible - if not wholly reliable - back-up. I've always thought O'Dea shipped a bit too much flak on here. I know there's a difference between putting your body in the way and getting a head to a ball which O'Dea did all night long on Monday, and being contronted by one or two twinkle-toed Europeans, but it's something.

The Irish Times did a "hot and maybe not" today, after the last fortnight. It's quite good actually.

[geysir]

The point is not to read too much in to a result in a friendly.

I enjoy it immensely for what the performance was worth. If you have observed reading too much into it, then fine. Nevertheless, I think we will draw the evident positives out of it, into the next stage of qualifying.

Will we get anything in Moscow? Could this be the long awaited big away win (ignoring 90 minutes in Paris) that some of us have waited for since Scotland in 1987? I don't see us being beaten but we need to win to equalise the result in Dublin

A win there would be the best result ever in a qual campaign.
Imo, a draw is achievable and sufficient to give a good chance of automatic qualification. And this time around, should it be the the play offs then so be it, I think we are in a better position to face them.

[Tipp Townie]

In any talk of '94 I have to say we missed a chance against Norway to top the group. If we had, we'd have avoided Florida. All wishful thinking etc. there could have been a path taking on Bulgaria in the Giants Stadium, the next hurdle could've entailed a big clash with Germany in the Giants Stadium. The next game then would've been a rematch with Italy in the Giants Stadium. All wishful thinking on the way things could've gone different. It would've been some hell of a World Cup.

The thing is, second place in the group was looking like a good option for us at the time. Yeah so Orlando was a difficult place to play, but we were heading for a match with Belgium. A decent side, but fairly workmanlike and indeed one that shouldnt have derived any advantage from playing in the afternoon heat.
And then they went and lost to Saudi Arabia. I think Big Jack even travelled down to that game to watch and then got caught in a tropical storm which delayed his return?!
So we ended up with Holland. Inconsistent (and no advantage playing in Orlando) but hitting form at the right time and Overmars and Bergkamp just too hot for us to handle.

Plenty of what ifs, as usual with us!
Incidently i think Bulgaria probably would have beaten us too. Stoichkov was immense that tournament.

[Noelys Guitar]

When you think of it beating Italy 2-0 was a backward step considering this Irish team won their last match 5-0. Bring back Stan.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Was Andy Reid actually playing?

I enjoyed a very solid performance. For all their possession, Italy never looked like scoring. It was all trying to walk it in, like Arsenal v weak English PL teams, or eventually pot shots from 30-35m. Most of which were charged down by the midfielders.

Except A.Reid has sadly drifted off the radar....

Anyway, slightly disingenuous to not admit you were there!

[paul_oshea]

Ab i think he completely admitted he was there, in a good fun natured way.

GR hope you enjoyed it.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Maybe, but more down to some sort of 'embarrassment' factor.

That aside, credit all the same.