Republic of Ireland: Road to Euro 2012
Republic of Ireland go as the lowest ranked (18) team in Group C of Euro 2012 and their chances of qualification to the next stage are rather low.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: May 22, 2012 06:00 PM IST
Republic of Ireland go as the lowest ranked (18) team in Group C of Euro 2012 and their chances of qualification to the next stage are rather low.
The format of the competition however offers enough room for them to cause an upset of huge proportions. With Croatia, Italy and Spain looking to state their authority at the top, one inspired performance can make the difference.
It could come from Robbie Keane or Kevin Doyle who have proved in the past that underestimating them might be a grave mistake. Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady in midfield are expected to add tremendously to the success of the team.
With Shay Given standing between the posts for the Irish, their resistance to conceding goals might just prove to be their biggest strength.
Coach Giovanni Trapattoni's tactics, which have been effective till now, have not impressed everybody, but as it reflects in his approach, they aren't meant for that purpose.
Ireland advanced to the main tournament after hammering Estonia 5-1 in the qualifying playoffs. They had failed to make a direct entry from the qualifying round as Russia pipped them to the top of the group standings.
The Irish posted six wins, three draws and one loss in their ten games in qualifying. Their lone defeat came against group toppers Russia - a 3-2 loss after having been down 3-0. They, though, did manage to hold the Russians to a 0-0 draw in the away game. The other team Ireland failed to get past was Slovakia, returning with results of 1-1 and 0-0 in the two legs. Andorra, Macedonia and Armenia, however, posed little trouble for the Irish.