Given, Holland miss out
Shay Given and Matt Holland both missed the Republic of Ireland’s first training session today ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Israel on Saturday.
Newcastle goalkeeper Given and Charlton midfielder Holland were the only absentees from the 22-man party that underwent a light workout under boss Brian Kerr at Malahide Football Club near Dublin.
Given is currently undergoing treatment for a hip injury recently sustained in training with the Magpies, but is expected to be fit to take on the Israelis in the Group Four tie at the Ramat-Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv.
As for Holland, he has remained in England to comfort his wife – who suffered an accident which required hospital treatment – but is scheduled to fly out with the rest of the 22-man squad tomorrow.
Kerr confirmed: “Matt has been delayed, but is expected to arrive tomorrow, while Shay didn’t train but is hoping to be okay soon.”
Holland, meanwhile, has dismissed security fears ahead of Saturday’s game, despite five people being killed and more than 40 injured by a Palestinian suicide bomber outside a popular seafront nightclub in Tel Aviv last month.
The bombing prompted immediate discussions between the FAI, the Israeli embassy and FIFA with regard arrangements for the game, as well as the European Under-21 Championship clash 24 hours earlier.
Positive assurances, however, were received and both games are to go ahead as planned, to the satisfaction of Holland and the rest of the Ireland squad.
“There was some debate about the game being moved because there was a suicide attack not too far from the hotel that we are staying at in Israel,” said Holland.
“But the Irish FA and the other authorities have looked into the situation, and I’m more concerned with Israel’s team than the political situation there.
“We’ve been in this situation before as we played a World Cup play-off match against Iran in 2001 and again that was scary, but we knew FIFA and the Irish FA wouldn’t put us in a dangerous situation.”
Speaking in Valley Review, Holland added: “Playing abroad is all about dealing with the atmosphere as well as what happens on the pitch.”
