Henry strike not a killer blow
08/09/2005 - 08:56:16“This group is still not finished yet,” was Thierry Henry’s verdict after hammering a huge dent in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying hopes.
The prolific France and Arsenal striker is right because Ireland are down, but not out despite suffering their first defeat in Group Four, and ensuring the road to Germany for manager Brian Kerr’s side is now riddled with doubt.
The only sure-fire certainty for Kerr and his players is they must win their final two games, against Cyprus in Nicosia on October 8 and then Switzerland at Lansdowne Road four days later.
That should be enough to clinch a play-off place because the French still have to face the Swiss the same night Ireland are in Cyprus, albeit without Roy Keane, Andy Reid and Clinton Morrison.
The trio were booked and are now suspended, adding to Kerr’s worries for a game that is by no means a gimme, not after the way the Cypriots held Switzerland for 70 minutes before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat.
“We will regroup and get organised for Cyprus when the time comes and we will deal with the issue of the bookings at the time,” said Kerr.
“We have a reasonable squad of players we can juggle with and we can put out a reasonable team when we go to Cyprus.
“I did feel some of the bookings were harsh, but that was a sign of our commitment and of the players getting stuck in and trying to get about France.
“Even our smallest players made themselves big going into challenges and tackles to try to retrieve situations.
“Roy, in particular, was tremendous. It’s disappointing we lose him for the next game, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
“But our task is now simple – we have two games left and we need to get six points from them, although without those three players for Cyprus, it makes it harder.
“We will see how that works out. It could be enough to get second place, irrespective of other results.”
Other than a goal, Kerr could not have demanded much more of his players who produced a whole-hearted, harrying, hustling performance that knocked France out of their normally suave, sophisticated stride.
It ensured chances were few and far between, with the highlights an outstanding Shay Given save to tip away a Zinedine Zidane free-kick, and Andy Reid clipping the outside of a post with his own dead-ball speciality.
Then midway through the second half came a moment of magic from Henry, who, after winning the ball just outside the Ireland area, delivered a 20-yard curler beyond Given with a deft flick of his right boot.
“It was a brilliant finish, and you have to give credit to Henry in that situation,” added Kerr.
“We knew he was capable of that because he is one of the stars of the world game, but then there were many out there.
“I felt we handled them well and gave them little opportunity to display their stuff in the attacking third, although we didn’t quite do enough ourselves in the final third.
“The team gave as good as they could. It was a very committed, honest and organised performance, but just not good enough on the night, although we didn’t deserve to get beaten.
“It’s a pity we didn’t get the result the team and the crowd deserved because the fans were sensational. They created a remarkable atmosphere.”
In describing his stunning effort, Henry produced one of the understatements of the year as he simply said: “I had the opportunity and I just put it into the back of the net.
“It was hard battling on my own up front, but I just said to myself if I had a chance to do something then I would try, and that is what happened.
“Sometimes you try these things and the ball ends up in the stand, so I am delighted it went in – but for the team, because that’s the main thing for me.”
Henry appreciated his side were fortunate to come away with the win, adding: “A draw would not have been a bad result for either side.
“There was not a lot between the two teams, and in a way Ireland did not deserve to lose, but sometimes these things happen.
“However, there is still a long way to go. While it was important for us to win, this group is still not finished yet.”
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