Ireland unfazed by French reputations
Friday 13 November 2009
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John O'Shea, Keith Andrews and Aiden McGeady prepare for the big day (©Getty Images)
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The Republic of Ireland may be billing their FIFA World Cup play-off against France as a meeting of aristocrats and artisans but midfielder Glenn Whelan insists it is anyone's game as the sides prepare for the first instalment at Croke Park on Saturday.
No comparison
Raymond Domenech has called on some of Europe's biggest clubs in assembling his France squad while a third of the Republic's players ply their trade outside the top tier of English football. The gulf between the nations is summed up by this season's UEFA Champions League, as 50 players eligible for France have graced the group stage of a competition in which Manchester United FC's John O'Shea is Ireland's sole representative.
Unbeaten record
Even so, there is confidence in the home camp after Giovanni Trapattoni's team remained unbeaten in their Group 8 qualifying campaign. The surprise element to the Irish squad could also benefit the underdogs. "We're honest enough to admit they have bigger names than us," Stoke City FC midfielder Whelan told uefa.com. "Irish fans know all about Henry and Anelka but the French supporters may not know all the lads in our squad. That doesn't bother us – it's eleven against eleven. France have some of the big stars of world football but they are still human and beatable. If France were world-beaters, they'd have qualified already."
'Team spirit'
Assistant manager Liam Brady, who scored his first competitive international goal in a 1-0 win against France in 1978 World Cup qualifying, concurs. "France have some very talented players, but just because they are talented doesn't mean we fear them," said the 53-year-old, who also captained the Republic to a 3-2 Dublin victory over Les Bleus in qualification for the 1982 finals. "There is a confidence and spirit in the camp now which says we can qualify. Our team spirit is very strong and that has been demonstrated on the field. The players know their jobs and if we stick to our game plan, we can go to the World Cup."
Atmosphere
Domenech is adamant that France, runners-up in Group 7, have done their homework: there will be no complacency. "We know their qualities," he said. "They are, first of all, a team that has some very good individuals playing in great sides. On top of that there is a spirit that makes them even tougher opponents. We remember playing them in previous World Cup qualifiers. In those games, there was as much atmosphere on the pitch as outside." Abou Diaby sustained a calf problem last weekend and is a major doubt, yet fellow midfielder Jérémy Toulalan has rested a groin injury and could feature. Trapattoni has a choice of Liam Lawrence, Stephen Hunt and Aiden McGeady for the right-wing slot, with Damien Duff likely to cover the opposite flank. The tie concludes in Paris on 18 November.
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