The Republic of Ireland got a taste of just how tough their World Cup qualifying campaign could be after having to scrap all the way for a draw in Norway.



Giovanni Trapattoni's side, who set out on the road to South Africa 2010 against Georgia next month, had to weather a storm both figuratively and literally as the Scandinavians completed their own preparations for the forthcoming qualifiers.

After a slow start the visitors assumed control before the break and took a deserved lead through skipper Robbie Keane's predatory 44th-minute strike.

However, substitute goalkeeper Dean Kiely's error 16 minutes after the break handed defender Tore Reginiussen an equaliser and the Norwegians will feel aggrieved not to have gone on to claim victory after exerting intense pressure for the remainder of the game.

But Ireland managed to hang on to extend their new manager's unbeaten start, while at the same time leaving them in little doubt that there is work to be done before they meet Georgia - wherever that game is played - and, four days later, Montenegro.

Trapattoni voiced the opinion in the run-up to the game that his side and that coached by Age Hareide face similar tests in the World Cup qualifying campaigns, the Irish having to cope with the might of Italy as well as tricky clashes with the likes of Georgia and Montenegro, while Norway take on Holland and Scotland.

With Norway occupying joint 29th place in FIFA's latest rankings - the Republic are 41st - he was confident the test at the Ullevaal Stadium would be a more than useful one before hostilities begin in earnest next month.

In that context, he will have been a happy man at the break having seen his players recover from an uncertain start to dominate despite torrential rain.

The Norwegians' 4-3-3 formation initially caused Ireland problems with central defender Richard Dunne in particular having difficulty even keeping his feet on a sodden pitch.

Shay Given was grateful to see striker Mohammed Abdellaoue lift a 10th-minute shot over the bar after running onto John Arne Riise's pass and rounding John O'Shea.

Riise forced the game's first real save 12 minutes later with a dipping drive which Given claimed low to his right.

However, as the half wore on, it was the visitors who began to control the match with wingers Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady seeing plenty of the ball as Steven Reid and Glenn Whelan held firm in central midfield.

They might have gone ahead on the half-hour when Keane twisted his way into the penalty area and unleashed a firm left-foot shot from a tight angle which goalkeeper Rune Almenning Jarstein did well to turn away.

But with the pressure mounting, the home side eventually cracked a minute before the break.

Norway were still coming to terms with the premature departure of midfielder Fredrik Stromstad when Keane cut inside from the right and fired past Jarstein to claim the 34th goal of his international career.

Given's contribution ended at the break when he was replaced by Kiely, while Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen replaced Daniel Fredheim Holm as Hareide looked to pose a different threat.

But the game was increasingly becoming a lottery with surface water gathering and no sign of the deluge relenting.

A resurgent Norway, however, were enjoying the better of the game for the first time since the opening exchanges, although Riise wasted a good opening when he sliced a 55th-minute shot horribly wide.

The equaliser finally arrived six minutes later when Kiely came for, but missed, Martin Andresen's left-wing free-kick, and when a stunned Kevin Kilbane could only head the ball back across goal, Reginiussen gleefully converted from point-blank range.

The Irish were in some disarray and had Kilbane not thrown himself into the path of Riise's audacious 65th-minute volley, Kiely might have been picking the ball out of his net once again.

Trapattoni opted for a change as the clock ran down when, having already replaced Kevin Doyle with Daryl Murphy, he sent on Stephen Hunt and Stephen Kelly for McGeady and Finnan.

But although the Irish regained a foothold in the game - it took a fine last-ditch interception from Reginiussen to stop Keane collecting Murphy's 86th-minute through-ball - it was the home side who looked the more likely victors.

Riise saw an 89th-minute shot deflected just wide as the home fans rose to their feet, but there was to be no further addition to the scoreline.

SOURCE: RTE Sport

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named a 22-man squad for the international friendly against Norway in Oslo on 20 August.

The squad includes six players who were not involved in the May internationals against Serbia and Colombia.

Among this group is Liverpool defender Steve Finnan who has responded positively to Trapattoni's request to reverse his decision to retire from international football.

'I am happy that Steve Finnan has agreed to return to international football,' said Trapattoni.

'He is an experienced player and he still has a lot to give to the team.'

The Republic of Ireland supremo revealed that Andy O'Brien will not be going back on his retirement decision.

'I respect Andy O'Brien's decision and I thank him for letting us know.

'Stephen Ireland has told us he is not yet ready to make himself available but has indicated that he may do so in the future. As I have said before, my door remains open.'

Trapattoni will use next week's game to begin preparations for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

'We will have several days together which will be very important,' added the Italian.

'We have a lot of work to do but I am looking forward to it.'

Norway v Republic of Ireland, 20 August, Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, kick-off 6pm:

Goalkeepers: Given, Kiely.
Defenders: Bruce, Delaney, Dunne, Finnan, Foley, Kilbane, O'Brien, O'Shea.
Midfielders: Duff, Hunt, McGeady, Miller, A Reid, S Reid, Whelan.
Forwards: Doyle, Keane, Keogh, Long, Murphy.

SOURCE: RTE Sport
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/081 ... orway.html

Giovanni Trapattoni will not chase retired trio Stephen Ireland, Andy O'Brien and Steve Finnan as he attempts to persuade them to return to the international stage.

The new Republic of Ireland boss met the three men in Manchester two weeks ago and has spoken to them again since, but the ball is now in their court as he awaits answers.

"I saw them two weeks ago - my door is open for them," Trapattoni said. "I called one week ago and I said, 'Now you know my number'. Now I wait. We will go and see them when they play, but we have to look ahead."

He added: "At the moment we have a good squad, and when they want to come back, they know we have good players. They will have to earn their place in the team."

Asked if he is confident over any of the three returning to the fold, as 37-year-old keeper Dean Kiely has done so successfully over the last fortnight, Trapattoni said: "I spoke with Steve Finnan and I am sure he is okay. He is a man, he is not an old player.

"My feeling is that one or two said to me, 'At the moment, no because I have a problem, but in the future, there is a possibility I will come back'. My feeling is that."

Trapattoni sent his players off after Friday night's 1-0 victory over Colombia at Craven Cottage satisfied with their fortnight's work, but with specific individual instructions over what each of them needs to improve upon before they return for the friendly with Norway in August.

He said: "I wish I had more time with the team. We made a step forward over the last two weeks, but I would be great to have more tests like Serbia and Colombia and more opportunity to monitor the performance.

"I am happy that the players can go on holiday with a positive result behind them. I hope the players will come back after the summer with the same enthusiasm.

"But while I am happy, I am also sad to leave the team. We have done good work, but we still have a lot more to do because the qualification will be very difficult."

Source: The Press Association

Giovanni Trapattoni is convinced that the Republic of Ireland can qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.

The Italian picked up his first win as national team boss on Thursday as Ireland saw off Colombia 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

They now have just one more friendly, against Norway in August, to finalise their preparations for a tough qualifying campaign, but Trapattoni believes he has seen enough to prove that his troops are capable of reaching South Africa.

"With that mentality and condition, psychological and physical, why not? Why not?" he said.

Strength

"We have a good team. Two or three young players give us more strength and power, like (Liam) Miller and (Glenn) Whelan in midfield. They are not superstars, but they are very, very important in our midfield.

"Yes, we have Italy in our group and there are one or two stars who can score a goal from nothing.

"But it is never easy. It is about the moment in international football, one goal or missing one or two important players makes a big team like all the other teams.

"Not every team has a (Cristiano) Ronaldo who makes the difference."

Meetings

Trapattoni is keen to spend as much time with his squad as possible ahead of the autumn qualifiers and is seeking permission to hold catch-up meetings in between matches.

However, with English clubs reluctant to release their players for internationals at the best of times he appreciates that persuading managers to part with their stars could prove problematic.

"Before I came in here, I asked the Federation if it was possible to have some time on a Wednesday or Thursday, for example, to meet the players," he said.

"In the past in Italy, it was possible under Arrigo Sacchi and it was very important because the players go back and play how their clubs want them to play.

Training

"I asked and the answer is that it will be very difficult with the clubs in England.

"Ireland maybe was easy, but lots of the players play in England and it is not easy for them to let the players go to Ireland for training.

"We will try. If it is possible, it will be very important."

Meanwhile, Trapattoni has refused to rule out the possibility of self-exiled trio Stephen Ireland, Andy O'Brien and Steve Finnan returning to the international fold in the future.

"The players who say at the moment, 'no, I am staying at home', I am sure in the future when Ireland are playing well and have success, they will think, 'maybe I will come back'," he added.

Source: Sky Sports

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni is not underestimating the importance of their 1-0 win over Colombia on Thursday.

Ireland had gone seven games without success prior to the victory at Craven Cottage and the Italian boss is hoping his side will now grow in confidence.

Robbie Keane struck early on to give Trapattoni's side the lead in London, but only a string of saves from veteran Dean Kiely kept the South Americans at bay.

After admitting his side rode their luck at times, Trapattoni felt Ireland finished the game with ease - mainly due to a fine defensive effort.

"The result was very, very important because our team grows in confidence," he told Sky Sports.

"We have to believe in our play. The first 20 minutes we have played very, very well and scored a goal.

Big test

"But Colombia are a great team. I said yesterday it was a big test for us and our defenders and it was.

"Our defenders played very, very well. We were a bit lucky in the first hour. Kiely made two or three very important saves.

"I think after being lucky they played well until the area. They were not as dangerous as the first half."

Trapattoni was happy with striker Keane's contribution in the game, although their grit and determination pleased him the most.

"At the moment he's the playmaker for the team. He gave us the time," he continued. "He has experience. He's the link between the midfield and Doyle.

"We have to improve. It's an important result, the team played today with heart. It's important the team plays with heart."

Source: Sky Sports

Robbie Keane handed Giovanni Trapattoni the first win of his Republic of Ireland reign as his 33rd international goal saw off Colombia.

WATCH Highlights

The 27-year-old Ireland captain struck after just three minutes when his shot was deflected past goalkeeper Robinson Zapata by defender Elvis Gonzalez.

But if the contribution of a man winning his 81st senior cap proved decisive, is was no more so than that of another earning just his 10th.

Dean Kiely retired from international football five years ago after spending much of his time in the shadow of number one keeper Shay Given.

But with the Newcastle man injured, the 37-year-old took his chance with both hands, turning in a solid display in the 1-1 draw with Serbia at Croke Park on Saturday and staking his claim for the man-of-the-match award at Craven Cottage this evening.

The West Brom player made a string of fine saves to protect his side's fragile lead as Colombia went for broke in front of a passionate crowd of 18,612.

The final whistle sent the Irish fans home to anticipate the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September with optimism with Trapattoni, while knowing there is still much work to be done, could content himself with a hard-fought victory against a talented Colombia side.

It came at the end of a fortnight which has seen him start the process of instilling his philosophy into his players while at the same time having to deal with elements of the soap opera which so often surrounds Ireland.

But when it comes down to it, all that matters to him is what happens on the pitch, and nothing breeds confidence like winning football matches.

Trapattoni was dealt a blow before kick-off when Damien Duff was forced to drop out after suffering severe sinusitis, although that gave a chance to Andy Keogh, whose late equaliser on Saturday confirmed his emergence as an international striker.

The 22-year-old Wolves man was to make a swift impact as Ireland got off to a great start, but the Italian will not have been too dismayed to see his players put through a stern test of their resolve as he attempts to steel them for the tests which lie ahead.

Ireland took the lead with only three minutes gone when Liam Miller's tenacity allowed him to feed Keane on the edge of the box and his shot was deflected past keeper Zapata by Gonzalez.

With Keane and Kevin Doyle linking well in attack and Keogh and Aiden McGeady repeatedly swapping wings to keep the South Americans guessing, Trapattoni's men put the Colombian defence under pressure on several occasions with the Tottenham man curling a 13th-minute shot just wide of the far post.

However, the 69-year-old had warned his players that, despite their lack of household names, the Colombians would not be without pace and swagger, and he was proved absolutely correct.

With Fredy Guarin and Macnelly Torres prompting from midfield and Falcoa Garcia, Edixon Perea and Juan Carlos Escobar keeping the Irish defence at full stretch, Kiely's goal came under threat at regular intervals as Colombia launched a concerted fightback.

The keeper had to make a fine save to keep out Escobar's bullet header on the half-hour, and then in injury-time, pulled off a superb double stop to deny first Garcia and then Edixon Perea.

In the meantime, Miller and Richard Dunne had cleared off the line from Garcia and Guarin, respectively, to preserve Kiely's clean sheet.

In the circumstances, the Irish players headed for the dressing room at the break delighted with their lead, but knowing they would have to be just as resilient in the second half if they were to hang on to it.

The game resumed as the first half had started, at a furious pace with Colombia surging forward in numbers, but Ireland's more patient approach allowing them to establish position in enemy territory, although without ever looking like testing the keeper.

However, Cristian Zapata had to get in a good 55th-minute block to deny McGeady as the winger cut inside from the left and let fly with his right foot.

The Celtic man was starting to threaten on a regular basis as he gave half-time substitute Gerarrdo Vallejo a torrid time, although too often his delivery left something to be desired.

But Kiely was in action again with 61 minutes gone to keep out Torres's fizzing left-foot drive after he had been played in by Edixon Perea.

Colombia battered away as the clock ran down with substitute Giovanni Hernandez playing a glittering cameo role, but with the men in front of Kiely protecting him better than they had earlier in the game, Ireland rarely looked like surrendering their lead.

-

Rep of Ireland: Kiely, O'Shea, Dunne, McShane, Delaney, McGeady, Miller, Whelan, Keogh, Keane, Doyle. Subs: Joe Murphy, Kelly, McPhail, Long, Daryl Murphy, Scannell, Foley, Hoolahan, O'Dea, Westwood, Bruce, Garvan.

Colombia: Robinson Zapata, Cristian Zapata, Bustos, Luis Amaranto Perea, Gonzalez, Guarin, Sanchez, Escobar, Torres, Edixon Perea, Garcia. Subs: Julio, Walter Moreno, Motta, Amaya, Hernandez, Polo, Armero, Valencia, Vallejo, Soto.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)

Source: RTE Sport, BBC Sport

Ireland v Colombia Highlights

Giovanni Trapattoni believes Robbie Keane can emulate Francesco Totti and be successful in a role just behind the central striker.

Trap: "I want him to play a little bit between the midfield and the forwards"

The Republic of Ireland forward was asked to play off Kevin Doyle in the hole in front of Trapattoni's midfield quartet against Serbia on Saturday.

He will fill a similar position in Thursday's clash with Colombia and Trapattoni is confident he can help add a new dimension to Ireland's play.

The Italian tactician accepts that Keane has different qualities to Roma playmaker Totti, but he feels he can do a similar job.

"I want him to play a little bit between the midfield and the forwards," said Trapattoni.

"I want him to play in a similar role to Francesco Totti - Totti is Totti and has other qualities to Robbie, but that's the sort of area I want him to play in.

"Robbie can play like that, and he can also score goals. He can do that."

Encouraged

Trapattoni has been encouraged by what he has seen since taking over as Ireland boss but he has challenged his side to turn in another good performance against Colombia.

"The players know when we have the ball, we have to go forward and look for goals," he said.

"If we score first, the opponents have to come at us and there is more space then.

"In recent years, the questions have been about Ireland's defence being catastrophic.

"Now, we have an opportunity against Colombia to look more confident.

"It is different question. In recent years, the defenders have lost here, lost here, lost here, mistake, mistake, mistake.

"Now, I hope, against a strong opponent, we can play better, we can be more sure."

Source: Sky Sports

John O'Shea and Aiden McGeady are expected to be named in Republic of Ireland's team to face Colombia on Thursday.

The pair were granted special dispensation to join up late with the rest of the squad ahead of the game at Fulham's Craven Cottage.

O'Shea missed the recent training camp, and friendly with Serbia on Saturday, due to his involvement for Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final last Wednesday, while McGeady helped Celtic to SPL title glory 24 hours later.

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is understood to be happy with the duo's fitness and is prepared to use them from the start against their South American opponents.

O'Shea is likely to fill in at right-back while McGeady will replace the inured Stephen Hunt, who was sent back to Reading on Monday after picking up a hamstring injury.

Impossible

"Stephen Hunt had an injury from five weeks ago and during the match the other day (against Serbia), he felt it," said Trapattoni.

"I let him go home because it was impossible for him to play in the match. There was no point keeping him here if he couldn't play.

"I spoke to McGeady yesterday about whether he can play or not, and he showed today he is ready, as did John O'Shea."

Source: Sky Sports

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has told his players to ignore the criticism of pundits if they are to fulfil their World Cup dream.

The Italian was assessing Saturday's 1-1 draw with Serbia in the first international of his reign and preparing for Thursday night's clash with Colombia at Craven Cottage.

But he did so against the backdrop of claims from one of his predecessors, Brian Kerr, that some of his senior players were unhappy with the presence of Liam Brady on his coaching staff, while talk of a broken curfew in Portugal last week continued to rumble on.

Writing in the Irish Times, Kerr suggested a series of Trapattoni's biggest names were less than impressed with Brady's appointment following his comments as a columnist and television pundit over the years.

However, Trapattoni warned the players they might as well give up if they cannot handle criticism from whatever source.

The 69-year-old said: "I was a young player and I thought about you, reporters and journalists, but as I grew up, you understand that each of us has a different job to do.

"Liam was a pundit and it is normal to be a critic. If you write something bad about a player and then they stop playing football...

"It is only by doing interviews that you learn and understand what kind of questions can be thrown at you and what kind of answers you should give.

"It is only by doing interviews that you understand that that's also part of your job as a player. It is part of the life.

Backing

"That is their problem because Liam is a good asset here, he is important for me for things.

"He was a famous player, he was captain of Ireland. In Italy there are 20, 30 ex-players who make their work in television.

"Should we all stop playing because they are criticising us? If these are the worries we have instead of thinking about going to qualify for the World Cup, it is better we stay at home."

Source: Sky Sports