Tonight and in our other 2 group games i'm proud of the fact that Ireland have managed to qualify for the Euro Finals!! And unlike a lot of so called supporters who abandoned the team ( a lot of former "die hard" Football fans who switched to being Rugby fans for example!!) during the dark days of the Staunton era i will continue to support the boys in green no matter what happens.
They have given the whole country a major much needed lift and for that we should be forever grateful to this team.
I am a realist and have been following the Irish team now for at least 30 years as man and boy!! We will always be the underdog when we play the big sides. I wouldn't have it any other way!!
On paper we are the weakest side in the tournament. We have to face 3 very tough opponents in Croatia, Spain and Italy.
Basically, if we don't perform to our maximum we won't qualify out of our group. We could even be faced with the prospect of losing all 3 group games.
But, if we have a poor campaign due to the fact that we were simply beaten by better sides i can have no complaints as long as we gave it our best shot!
For tonights match my head says Ireland 1-1 Croatia and heart says Ireland 1-0 Croatia!!
COYBIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well whatever happens....................
posted on 10/6/12
Getting nervous ahead of the game, if we have any hope of getting through we NEED to win tonight's game!!
posted on 10/6/12
good luck tonight guys !!
from a wee Northerner
posted on 10/6/12
(Gary Mc Kay) Houghton Whelan Sheedy Quinn Houghton Aldridge Holland Keane Breen Duff Keane Keane(U5123)
Like you I have stayed loyal to the team even when we were at our worst. I actually think we can spring a shock in the group. I just can't see us losing tonight or against Italy who are very beatable!
Alex
posted on 10/6/12
We don't lose many goals, because Trap will make sure that the team are well organised and difficult to break down. The difficulty will be with creating chances and taking them. The wide midfielders will be very important in this, and whoever is playing alongside Keano will have to be on top of their game, especially if it is Kevin Doyle!
Lots of teams have beaten their opponents just through organisation and clinical finishing, Denmark for example defeated Holland (a team who are far superior to Croatia, in my opinion).
If Croatia can draw with Italy later on in the group, then a win tonight against Croatia for us would open the group up completely. I fancy Spain to win all of their games, that means the maximum Italy can get is four points (assuming they draw with the Croats) in the group. Then it is in our own hands, a draw against the Italians would be sufficient for us to qualify.
.........................................P..............................Pts
Spain ------------------------3-------------------------- 9
Ireland -----------------------3-------------------------- 4
Italy--------------------------- 3 --------------------------2
Croatia---------------------- 3---------------------------1
posted on 10/6/12
Why does that never look the same as when I typed it out?
posted on 10/6/12
Alex.