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

[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/ea22458563e77...268dd01843e9d/

[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.