Euro 2012 Qualiferis Preview: Ireland vs Andorra-Ireland, Ireland looking to build on opening day win
Ireland might have not had a very convincing win in their opening match but it is something that the team can build on as they prepare to face Andorra.
The elevated expectations that were being put on the Irtish players seemed to have take their toll on them during the team’s first game. The players seemed to start to melt early on even before the match got underway with Armenia. There were more than a few visible indications that these heightened expectations from the players seemed to affect them.
Onc the match got under way, it was more than evident that the Irish players were not able to cope with the early pressure from the Armenian's. The most notable players who were faced with dificulties were, John O'Shea and Richard Dunner who were repeatedly left humilliated by Armenia's Henrikh Mkhitaryan within the opening few minutes of the match down the left side of the pitch.The players and the team then managed to build on that, however what it did was show the weaknesses in the side and the teams incapability to cope with attacks early on during a match.
However on the seventy sixth minute Keith Fahery came of the bench to ensure that the Irish started their qualifying campaign with a win, despite it being a narrow one.
"They were the hardest conditions I have played in. In the first 20 minutes, the whole team was struggling," admitted Doyle. "But we wanted to start on a high and we have done. It's only a great result though if we keep going and go out and do the business on Tuesday. That will leave us in a great position. We have momentum now."
They can however have no excuses in their match against Andorra, since it will be an all of nothing game in which it will be determined whether the team is operating on pure luck or if they actually possess the talent and skill that can see them go all the way.
The team has never managed to win a game under Giovanni Trapattoni by a margin of more than one goal, this could be rather disappointing for the neutral fans who would be hoping for a goal fest since the chances of that happening are slim to none.
"I think scoring many goals is not easy. I hope we can put on a show in the beautiful stadium, the fans deserve a good show. This atmosphere will be very important for the players," said Trapattoni. "I am confident we can do that but I will repeat we have not qualified yet. There is no room for complacency. It would be a great mistake to think we've already got the result against Andorra.
"The players know what I tell them, every game is a new opponent. They become more aggressive if we do well. They have experience. Teams cannot be underestimated."
The experts are saying that this match should be an easy win for the Irish as long as they don't make the task at hand harder for them by failing to capitalize on chances like they did in their previous outing. The game could result in a draw if that occurs it will end in disappointment for both the manager and the players.
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