Euro 2012 Preview - Ireland
Absurd FIFA ranking: 18th
Coach: Wily Italian Giovanni Trappatoni
Match Schedule:
June 10 – Ireland v. Croatia (Poznan, 2:45 p.m. EST)
June 14 – Ireland v. Spain (Gdansk, 2:45 p.m.)
June 18 – Ireland v. Italy (Poznan, 2:45 p.m.)
Prospects: On paper, Ireland's squad of lower league nobodies has very little chance in a group that includes the current champions and one of Europe's perennial powers. However, Trappatoni may be the secret weapon, as he (and his deputy Marco Tardelli) will surely know how Italy will approach the vital third match in the group. If Ireland go out to try and match Spain and Italy on the pitch, they'll be on a quick flight home to Dublin. However, if they rely on Italian-based strategy, they might just be able to pull off a Switzerland.
Key Player: Villa keeper Shay Given has been in poor form since he was pushed out of Citeh by Joe Hart; however, if Trap's secret plan is to work, Given will have to keep some clean sheets.
Youngster to watch: Sunderland winger James McClean has been one of the spark's behind Martin O'Neill's resurgence at the club.
Who Will Get the Goals: Most would tip evergreen forward Robbie Keane - Ireland's top scorer - but I'm tipping Shane Long, who's been rattling them in for the Baggies all season.
Who Will Get the Cards: Wolves schemer Stephen Hunt is a nasty piece of work, as the dent in Petr Cech's head still attests.
Prediction: Nothing would delight me more than to see the Irish knock a cynical Italian side out, but I just don't see it. Out in a blaze of glory after a thrilling last match.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 10:12 AM
1 Comments:
I agree with you completely. Shay Given will be a key player, but the experienced John O'Shea and Richard Dunne will be too.They have lost a step and are injury prone, so hopefully opposing strikers will not capitalize on that.I agree that James McLean will be the youngster to watch and am pleased to see he made the squad. I wish another youngster, Seamus Coleman, would have made the squad, but he craves hackers like Steven Hunt or the likes of Paul Green, who was surplus to requirements at Derby County and like the LOBERS, currently is not playing for a professional club. The cards will go to Steven Hunt and probably Dunne and O'Shea. The goals will probably be scored by Shane Long and I would not rule out Darren Gibson, who has been known to score a few from long range, a key in any side managed by Trap. Some curious decisions by Trap as Coleman, Anthony Pilkington , Wes Hoolihan, Marc Wilson,and Leon Best failed to make the squad yet four Wolves players, Paul Green, and the useless Simon Cox did.I hate to second guess the maestro and here we are criticizing Woy! My prediction: Just missing out on second place as they just fall short to Italy in that decisive third match in heartbreaking fashion!
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