GERMANY MIDFIELDER BASTIAN Schweinsteiger has paid tribute to the fighting spirit of the Irish ahead of his side’s World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Cologne on Friday.
Germany would secure their passage to the finals in Brazil with a victory while Ireland need an unlikely success to stand any chance of progressing.
And although Ireland are almost certain to miss out on the Brazil showpiece — even two wins from the final two matches would give them very little chance of making it into the play-offs for the top eight second placed finishers from the nine groups — Schweinsteiger is expecting them to put up a typically robust showing.
“It won’t be easy, the Irish fight non-stop for their country,” said the Bayern Munich holding midfielder.
They’re maybe not as good as Argentina or Spain in a footballing sense, but they have an enormous heart and always give their all.”
Recent history would suggest this match is little more than a formality, though, as Germany romped to a 6-1 thrashing of their hosts in Dublin in October 2012.
They have in fact only dropped two points in qualifying so far, when a late collapse saw them blow a 4-0 lead at home to Sweden in Berlin four days later.
Germany need only beat Ireland or draw at home to Sweden in their final game to ensure top spot in the group.
For Ireland to snatch second place they would need Sweden to lose to Germany and Austria, and for Austria to lose to Faroe Islands, while beating Germany and Kazakhstan themselves.
Yet even with such an unlikely scenario, that still might not be enough to prevent them from finishing as the ninth best second-placed team.
Hes absolutely right……we’re shite but we try our best……
The gap in class is now do big trying our best will still result in a hiding. In the good old days of Jack and even early mick years our player were mainly with decent premier league clubs. Not the case anymore. There’s no whelan, McGrath, Brady, Stapleton’s etc. the players just are not there.
We have a Whelan!
There is a Whelan unfortunately and a Brady but I get your point!
He’s hardly likely yo tell the truth that the German’s are a far superior team and expect to win easily. Doesn’t matter how patronising he is they will the will have a handy 3-0 win.
Or 7-0 depending on hard they go!!
Were we not bet 6-1 in 2012 not 2002??
Come on Ireland!!! Get into these dirty Krauts from the 1st whistle…..
Those dirty Krauts away strip is green .. as a reference to Ireland …. take it easy there Frankie!
Germany to stuff the paddies!
Nothing to do with Ireland, I’m afraid.
http://afootballreport.com/post/17361170683/why-does-germany-wear-green-the-ireland-myth-and
He’s absolutely right and being professional in fact overly respectful, , total non story lads
Hope Andy Reid gives him a lesson!
Guitar lesson???
The fighting spirit of the Irish!, whats he on about, oh he must’ve been to Oxygen.
Schweinsteiger – sounds like a good German larger.
Will be hard to watch. Been a long time since we went into a game just trying to keep the score down.
Bleedin Swinesteiger