The luck of the Irish.
It may not have been plain sailing, but the Republic of Ireland last night secured another vital 3 points in their World Cup 2010 qualifying group, thanks to a debateable (at best) penalty. The Irish are now joint top of the group with Italy, and the World Champions will, most certainly, be looking over their shoulders.
Next up for Ireland is Bulgaria at Croke Park at the end of March. When this group was drawn, many Irish fans looked at this fixture as a must-win if they were to finish second in the group and secure a play-off place. Now, however, beat Bulgaria and Ireland can travel to the south-eastern city of Bari knowing that a point would almost make them favourites to win the group outright and book their (economy class) seats on the plane to South Africa.
It's still a big ask of Trappatoni's men, but after their best ever start to a World Cup qualifying campaign, expectations are beginning to soar. One thing is sure, though - Ireland need to stop conceding silly early or needless late goals, particularly the latter. With a world-class goalkeeper, a potentially solid back four, and ten points out of twelve in the bank, Irish fans can at least begin to dream.
Bad week for England.
Whilst the Irish have enjoyed a great sporting week, the same can not be applied to England. The win over Italy in the Six Nations has been heavily criticised by many, although that performance was as good as a World Cup win in relation to the cricketers' embarassing collapse against the West Indies. The footballers didn't fare much better, with a comprehensive defeat at the hands of European Champions, Spain. On the bright side, the cricket and rugby teams have the opportunity to begin rectifying things this weekend.
First up are the cricketers, who begin their second Test Match tomorrow in Antigua. With the possible exceptions of Andrew Flintoff and the somewhat imperious Kevin Pietersen, England seem to be lacking any sort of inspiration. It will be interesting to see whether Ian Bell keeps his place at number three, with Owais Shah (rightly) breathing down his neck. Since falling one short of a maiden double-century against South Africa at Lord's last summer, Bell has failed spectacularly on a number of occasions. I won't be overly surprised if Bell is named in the team tomorrow, but at least one change will be needed, and it could (perhaps should) be Ian Bell.
On Saturday, England's rugby team travel to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium to take on an impressive Wales team. England won't be heavily fancied for this one, and Martin Johnson said earlier in the week that not much will be expected of them. Try telling that to the tens of thousands who got sucked into World Cup fever in 2003, and again in 2007, Martin. In case Mr. Johnson hasn't realised yet (I'm sure he has, really), England fans are always expectant. After Saturday, England travel to Croke Park two weeks later. With Ireland expected to beat Italy on Sunday, lose against Wales and England's Six Nations campaign for 2009 may well be over.
Not much can really be said about England's footballers' performance last night. They played well in patches, and David Beckham's second-half showing may give England fans belief that he is still capable of performing at the very top level. Quite simply, England were taught a lesson by an admittedly brilliant Spanish team. While England struggle to find a permanent goalkeeper, for example, the Spanish boast Jose Reina, as backup to Iker Casillas. Fabio Capello won't be too worried about last night's defeat, but for the English sporting all-rounder, it brought to an end a frustrating week.
Nadal slams doping rules.
Finally, a word on Rafael Nadal's rant about the stringent anti-doping rules in tennis. For those of you unaware of the process, each player must state where they will be for one hour of every day, so they can be selected for random tests. If a player misses three of these tests in 18 months, they may face a suspension. You may agree with Nadal that these rules are over the top, but with career earnings already surpassing $22 million, and approaching $1.5 million for the year, surely he should be privileged to be in the position that he is. You are a professional Rafa, start acting like it.
7 comments:
Completely agree about Republic in their world cup quest, anything is possible in the knock out stages (bring back roy keane) so it's all about getting there and we're sitting pretty good at the minute, especially after coming back from 1-0 down with a helping hand from the ref (only saw the second half but heard in the first half we should of had one so justice done).
I watched the England rugby match, Italy threatened them now and again but i wouldn't put it past England to grind a result out against Wales... two years ago they did the same against France as the underdogs and this weekend they're 4/1 to win!
I think that England had a few key players missing for their clash with Spain (J.Cole, W.Rooney, S.Gerrard - not in that order) but never the less they were pushed aside and for a team that has so much potential its a nightmare for them, they've been underachieving for so long it's starting to seem that they are just overrated. Their keeper and attack is lacking... thats their problem though and Rep. Of Ireland have enough problems on their horizon.
Finally, as a big fan or Rafael before he started winning his trophies (but as the world no.2 at the time of his first defeat to Federer in his first Wimbeldon final) i think the drug rule is over the top myself. The man is privileged to be on the pay rate that he is but he has worked for it so i cant take anything away from him. I think all the players aren't happy with this rule, i heard A.Murray speak out about it first when he came back from the Australian open. If i were in their position i think i'd feel the same and can see where they're coming from.
Anyway good blog, hit most things on the spot if not all, will read on!
If you have the time... What do you think of Robbie Keane's two goals for the Republic? obviously lucky enough goals (one lucky penalty and one half face half head'er but still good vital goals) but just after his Liverpool nightmare and stalemate in his first captained return to THSpurs. Do you think L'pool were too hasty with getting rid of him, as a L'pool fan yourself, and do you think this might effect liverpool's silverware chances this season (breaking R.Madrid in the CL and Utd in the EPL)?
Well done boss great content! Get some photos added with the posts de brighten it up a bit. Get Google Ads on as well, if you get the traffic up you'll be able to make a few quid from the ads.
Great blog Paddy, keep it up. Let's hope its the start of something big :)
Was at Ireland game. Shocking first half. Resources may be limited these days but we shouldn't be making teams like Georgia look good on our home (borrowed!) patch. Having said that, fair play to them second half as the performance was decent. Delighted for Robbie, must confess I was not full of confidence when he placed the ball for the penno but thankfully the keeper went down early. Good performances from Dunne (as always), Andrews, Duff, McGeady and Doyle (never has a bad one!).
Not too sure about your potentially solid back four. We are very weak at full back, something the bigger teams could expose and with Duff and McGeady on the wings there is not much protection there, hence his two defensive sideways passers in central midfield. That said, can't argue with Il Trapp and his team, 10 out of 12 is great going, regardless of the opposition so far. we would have drawn or lost some of those games under previous management teams.
If we can get Finnan, Ireland and both Reids back into the picture i think we can become a force. I can't see them all playing at once though, here's hoping.
Only caught last 10 of the Spain game, they looked different class. A lesson in how to keep the ball. They are not afraid to pass the ball to a man who is tightly marked as they know he'll still keep it. Fabregas still has to come into that team. Might be paying Paddy Power a visit to check their odds for South Africa.
Sweet, Chelsea one down.
Anyway, keep it up, looking forward to a few more stories...
Kieran, firstly, I've chosen to completely disregard your 'Bring back Roy Keane' fishing attempt. Ireland certainly should've had a penalty when Kevin Doyle was tumbled inside the area, and had a goal chalked off which was a little harsh, especially seeing the joy of Keith Andrews when he wheeled away in celebration, so yes, it was probably a deserved victory.
Your premonitions about England were close, but Wales just had that little bit extra. Strangely interesting yet subdued tournament so far in my eyes (Ireland v France aside). How do you rate England's chances at Croke Park?
I personally think the loss of Joe Cole to any team is a massive one. Chelsea, for example, have lacked creativity on many occasions this season, especially since Deco went off the boil. With a one-man matchwinner in Steven Gerrard also out, England were never likely to match Spain for creativity. Xavi and Iniesta are class acts (consistent Decos, if you like), and as Decky has correctly pointed out, Fabregas still has to come back into the team - frightening.
I think the drug rule is a little over the top myself, and yes, Andy Murray was one of the first to speak out about it. I don't know how many times a week a tennis player trains/practises, but if you add in match time, they probably play tennis at least six days per week. It shouldn't be too difficult to know where you will be training/playing, and therefore, the hour they have to submit should be a relatively straightforward decision. Yes, the rules are a little over the top, but I don't think that complaining about it will help. Just my opinion, though...
How much time have you got for the Robbie Keane question? As you say, the goals were lucky enough, but they show why he's so highly regarded in Ireland, and in England (with the exception of Rafa Benitez, of course). The header, in particular, highlighted for me his predatory instincts. To get in that position and alter his body in order to throw himself at the ball deserved a bit of luck, which he duly got. And to do this after a really tough time of it shows the strength of his character - I had a feeling he would welcome an international break. A fit and firing Robbie Keane may be Ireland's best chance of reaching South Africa.
As for the actions of Liverpool, I'll offer a quick summary. My understanding is that Rick Parry was the catalyst behind the signature of Keane. Apparently, as he was not Rafa's player, he resented this to an extent. Hence, plenty of substitute appearances and matchday omissions. The main evidence for this may be Keane's double against Bolton at Christmas quickly being followed with being left out of Rafa's next starting line-up. Hence, rather than question how hastily Liverpool got rid of Keane, I ask: Has Benitez jeopardised Liverpool's chances of winning their first League in 19 years in order to 'get one over' on Rick Parry? Well, that remains to be seen.
Colum, cheers for your feedback. I'll look into getting those things added very soon. I'd welcome any more suggestions, from you or anyone else for that matter.
Decky, good to hear an account from someone who was at Croke Park for the Georgia game. I think most people would have taken a relatively poor performance and three points over a decent performance and a point. The fact is, Ireland need to get as many points at home if the World Cup dream is to become a reality, and so far they are certainly obliging. Good to see Andrews perform well, but centre midfield is still a big problem area. Who would you start with, if everyone was fit and available (i.e. Stephen Ireland)?
I agree about the full-back situation, but word has it that Finnan may be open to a return. If Dunne and O'Shea build a strong partnership in the middle, and if Kilbane performs as well as he did against Georgia (away - well, in Germany), there may be enough legs in them to make it a successful campaign. Cover from McGeady and Duff is unlikely, as you correctly state, so it's a point well made. I also agree that it is about time to bring back Andy Reid, he's been playing quite well at Sunderland recently.
As for Spain, if they have a fit Torres and Villa, they should go close in South Africa. While you're there, check the odds of Ireland to beat them on penalties in the second round - we can always dream, eh?
Thanks folks, please keep the comments coming!
As far as I know, Finnan was back for the Georgia game but picked up an injury. His injury situation is a little worrying since he left Liverpool. Rafa must have been protecting him in the same way as he did Robbie :). Zinedine will always give you an honest performance at left back but i would worry if he was up against a quick tricky winger.
If we had all available I would play Ireland in the middle with a defensive midfielder. You couldn't play him and Reid, we'd be too exposed. If we were to play someone like Ireland I think Trapp might compensate on the wings by bringing on someone like Hunt who'll protect his full back as well as going forward. Andrews would probabaly be my second midfielder with Ireland based on regular premiership football but just watched Gibbo pick up his man of the match award there, outstanding today. He's definitely the longer term solution but needs more game time. Fergie really fancies him too so I can't see him let him go. Would definitely have Andy Reid on the bench in that team, could change a game for you.
Spain currently 7-1 for world cup, after Brazil and Argentina. Probably fair enough as a European team has yeet to win it outside of Europe. England fourth favourites, who are they kidding. You gotta laugh!
Interesting FA cup draw there, all the big guns kept apart.
Quality Blog Paddy, Keep up the good work!
Decky, I think you're right about the Finnan situation. I'm not sure if he's fit at the minute, he hasn't played for Espanyol for quite some time. But he was on the bench a few weeks ago, so it'll be interesting to see if he can make Il Trapp's next squad.
I agree with you about Kilbane maybe being exposed to a quick and tricky winger. I'm not sure who plays down the right for Bulgaria (and Martin Petrov might still miss the next game, so that rules out any switching of flanks), and Camoranesi is getting on a bit. So at least for the next two key games, I'd be hopeful that he'll be able to do a job at full-back.
I like your suggested midfield, Andrews has impressed me a couple of times I've seen him play for Blackburn recently. The Stephen Ireland situation is frustrating, however, and something which needs to be sorted. I just hope that if Ireland qualify without him, he doesn't come crawling back then.
A very impressive performance from Gibson on Sunday. Took his goal well, and put himself about well. I think he has a future at United, which could be counter-productive for his international career, for the next few years anyway. Definitely an important player for Ireland in future, I would imagine.
Pretty good odds for Spain there. Doubling it up with Villa or Torres as top scorer could make things even more exciting. As for England as fourth favourites, well, a bit early to say, but I can't imagine there's much value to be had there.
Paul, thanks for the compliment. Come back if you enjoy it, and feel free to comment on anything I've written, particularly if you think what I've written is tripe!
Post a Comment