Without stars but with Irish spirit
Without stars but with Irish spirit
Irish fans still keep special memories of Euro 1988 and famed goal from Ray Houghton 1: 0 over England at the start when first their national team qualified for this forum. 4 years ago it was different - the team of Giovanni Trapattoni left miserably after the group stage after three losses. Despite recent failures in controls, however, the Irish hope guys Martin O'Neill to do far better in France, even in the worst possible group.
Four years ago, Ireland was preparing a long time in Italy, whereas now rely on home environment - Dublin Fota resort near Cork. The first task for O'Neill was to qualify the team for the finals, which happened not without effort and went through barrages of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After a good start came unexpected collapse against Scotland (0: 1) when Robbie Keane was first left off the pitch, not because of injury. The difficulties continued in the spring, but everything turned last fall - competitor for third place Scotland collapsed in Georgia and at home against Germany, while the Irish were not wrong against the same rivals even lied to the world champion at home with a goal by Shane Long. And no more prepared team for barrages of Ireland - the two clash with Bosnia were eighth in the country, and these matches it showed.
In Team O'Neill has no superstars but for goalkeeper Shay Given and striker Robbie Keane are the last major tournament of participating. They will start on the bench because under the frame holder will be dark-skinned Darren Randolph, the hero of the victory over Germany, and the attack will rely on swift feet of Shane Long. Lack of depth of the composition, however, is visible especially in attack, as if 29-year-old Southampton injured, but Keane does not recover it from Daryl Murphy did not wait for miracles - the player of Ipswich has no goal for the national team. Walters did nominally a midfielder.
Only one in the composition is up to 23 years - only the Russians have made such a choice in favor of experience. 2.5 years, the coach was able to build a decent mix of players from Premier League and Championship, which on a good day can confuse the accounts of everyone. From 1988 and onwards Ireland recorded only three wins in 19 matches at World and European Championships, there are 9 draws. Now the most likely their success against Sweden, while against Belgium and Italy, their chances do not look great. So underdog status is logical and probably why Martin welcomes tentative comparisons with Lester and his exploits in the Premier League last campaign. "This is not realistic. Leicester achieved something phenomenal, this is the peak of the century for them, but it comes to club football. Euro 2016 each country comes with the best possible. We will not look at others, our first goal to win a victory, then get out of the group and then we will think what next, "said O'Neill. Pragmatically Irish.
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