Home game against Iran

gandalf

This was suppost to be a poll but I forgot that polls only work in Opera !!!!

Ok here is my prediction for the game

Ireland 3 Iran 0

(I'm hoping we do not give up an away goal as it will make the return to Tehran very difficult indeed)

I'm getting butterflies in my stomach about this game already.

Gandalf.

WhiteWashMan

heard a cracking quote from their coach last night.

to paraphrase

" we have reviewed every inch of irelands game over the last campaign and unfortunately i have to admit, they have no weaknesses"

(i think they must have cut the tape before he put in 'except that plank staunton in left back')

cracker!

TwoShedsJackson

I'm hoping 2-0 or 3-0, not to let them get a goal is very important. On the other hand they're only a reasonable side, there's no reason if we carry our group form into the games that we can't beat them in Tehran as well.

As for Staunton, he actually played fairly well lately, much better than usual (not that that's saying a lot). Mark Kennedy on the other hand..... :rolleyes:

jaarius

aye im hoping for 3-0 and ill echo gandlf and castor troy, a clean sheet is so important.

what time is the kick off?


j

mike65

3-0 is a bit optimistic unless the Iranians lose thier
composure I'd go for 2-0. Even 1-0 would be okay, as I'm sure
an away goal is entirely likely.

Mike.

Mossin

Iwud say 2-0 or 3-0 as well. With our driving force "KEANO" back in the centre everything luks good.

'except that plank staunton in left back')

Staunton plays at centre back 4 IRELAND. Harte plays at left back.

Do ye think that Mick McCarthy shud give Stephen McPhail a game. He can't b any worse than Kennedy or Kilbane.

PiE

Republic of Ireland team:

Shay Given
Steve Finnan, Gary Breen, Steve Staunton, Ian Harte
Jason McAteer, Roy Keane, Matt Holland, Kevin Kilbane
Robbie Keane, Niall Quinn

No Mark Kennedy, gg Mick.

b20uvkft6m5xwg

Originally posted by gandalf

I'm getting butterflies in my stomach about this game already.

Gandalf.

I'm just about to walk out the door now to head off to "The Lanner". Let me echo those sentiments.

I think 2-0 would be excellent. Just as long as we dont conceed an away goal. Even if it was 0-0, I think it would put the skids up us for Tehran:)

Fingers and everything else crossed:)

Dustaz

Its bloody VITAL that we dont give away an away goal. Id also say its pretty important that we score, I dont fancy having to go to tehran needing to score.
I hate giving predictions, cos i feel its unlucky, but id be more than happy to see us win 2-0. Since i know nothing really about the Iranian team, i dont know if thats likely or not.
Nice team selection btw. No mark kennedy, Keeping Holland in and not starting Connolly. pld mick:)

Illkillya

wheres kinsella these days?

gandalf

Phew

2-0 was just one goal short but we were lucky bastards. Don't know why Iran tried to defend so much they are very good going forward.

However I do fancy us to score at least 1 goal in Tehran which means they will have to score 4 to win!!!

Anyway I'm off to get my poor heart checked after that match.

Gandalf.

PiE

On todays evidence, we're gonna have a tough time in Tehran.

We saw that when they came out of their shell they were quite good going forward, they could have had 3 goals if it wasn't for Given and some gammy shots.

And they're gonna come out all guns blazing in Tehran.

I'd really liked to have seen us bring a 3 goal lead to them.

Oh well. In the return leg I say try for maybe the first 20-30mins to get an away goal and if it's not coming off, sit back and defend a little more, play out time etc.

Here's hoping.

b20uvkft6m5xwg

We were Poor....

But they were worse!

I think that sums up the match. In terms of importance of contribution Given deserved the MoM, but apart from mighty Roy, the rest of them were just plain sloppy at every juncture!
The plain fact is that they have to score @ least 3 goals no matter what on Thurs. & I think (Hope:p) they wont do this.

Is Roy Keane the most ubiquitous footballer in world football for his coverage of the pitch?
I honestly have never seen anyone pop-up everywhere as much as he does. Even carrying a slight injury today, he was awesome. [and thats coming from a 'Pool fan who used despise him]

I thought Finan was consistent BTW- good prospect, but will Carr push him out? The Mighty Quinn looked injured, plain & simple and I'm suprised he played the full 90.

Overall, its a 2 goal lead, w/ no away goals against us. I would have settled for that at days dawn- I think its just bcos we could have played so much better that has left some degree of sourness in me:(

PiE

Quinn seemed to be 5ft tall today, I think I saw him win 2 headers in the box in the whole game!

Finnan looks excellent imo, better than Harte.

Btw, when was the last time someone OTHER than Roy Keane got MoM for Ireland?

Illkillya

i thought given got man of the match? thank god roy keane was fit enough for it tho

Bloody Drunkard

I really don't think we will have a problem in Tehran. Iran were brutal. We played miserably and we could have won by more than 2 . sure they had a couple of chances but there strikeforce weren't very good at all. The atmosphere alone can't make them a good team. As long as our players keep their composure we should come through . I predict we will win 2 - 1 in Tehran our possibly 1 - 1.

The atmosphere was excellent last night but very tense. Can't wait till Thursday ( School will have to do without me for the afternoon)

TwoShedsJackson

What time is kickoff Thursday?

Dustaz

2pm

PiE

Originally posted by Illkillya
i thought given got man of the match? thank god roy keane was fit enough for it tho

Yah he did, I just can't remember the last time Keane didn't get it.

b20uvkft6m5xwg

I was thinking that myself Pie.

But didn't Niall Quinn get it against Cyprus in the last match!?

I seem to remember Mark Kinsella getting it a while back as well. But your right in thinking the predominent recipient in recent history has been Roy Keane. (And Rightly So:))