Wasteful Keane costs Republic of Ireland
Giovanni Trapattoni spoke about a "very important reaction" and of how Republic of Ireland were "the team that played the best" in their 1-1 draw away to Slovakia, however there's no escaping that this was a disappointing week and that they last night blew a huge chance to go top of Group B.
Slovakia were a far cry from the team that knocked Italy out of the World Cup, wasteful in possession - as were the visitors in a particularly dreadful second half - and struggling to create openings, and Republic of Ireland had enough opportunities to take all three points.
First, the long-term problem of being incapable to hold onto a lead resurfaced as Sean St Ledger's second international goal was only enough to keep them in front for 20 minutes, before they conceded from a set-piece for the second successive match.
Then Robbie Keane had a penalty saved on the brink of half-time, before spurning another great chance with minutes remaining. Trapattoni's response to the latest poor display by the Boys in Green's record goalscorer was to suggest that he may have to consider dropping his captain.
At the start of the week, we mused that four points would be an encouraging return from the home tie against Russia and trip to Zilina. One certainly wasn't good enough, as shown by the fact that level with them and Slovakia in second are Armenia, fifth seeds who had tougher opening fixtures.
The draw appeared to have been kind to the Republic in their bid to reach their first tournament in a decade, but perhaps they are suffering from the absence of a traditional heavyweight like Holland, France, Germany or Italy who they tend to raise their game against.
Trapattoni's side are out to [5.1] to win Group B. We don't see it happening - do you?
Published: 13 Oct 2010
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