Trapattoni buoyed by fringe players' display
Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni set off on his latest World Cup mission with hope for the future of his squad.
The 70-year-old Italian will be in his native country tonight to watch Group Eight leaders Italy face third-placed Bulgaria in Turin, having been given food for thought by his fringe players.
An Ireland side without eight of the men who started Saturday’s 2-1 qualifying win in Cyprus edged World Cup hosts South Africa aside at Thomond Park to demonstrate that there is life outside Trapattoni’s tried and tested men.
He said: “I was asked what I wanted from this game and I said to play better than in Cyprus.
“I looked for personality and it was a good performance. I am happy that the players have confirmed that this evening. It gives me hope to have a squad.”
Ireland found themselves on the back foot for much of the first half as the visitors’ passing and movement repeatedly stretched the game.
However, they defended resiliently and when Stoke midfielder Liam Lawrence, winning just his second cap, got his chance, he grabbed it with both hands.
His swinging 37th-minute free-kick curled high into keeper Rowen Fernandez’s top corner to give him his first international goal and his side the lead against the run of play.
Lawrence said: “I caught it well and luckily it went in – and it ended to be the winning goal, so I am delighted.
“We did a lot of them (on Monday) and practised quite a bit, and a few were going wide and over the bar. But thankfully, today it went in.”
Ireland were much improved after the break and substitute Leon Best might have collected a hat-trick in a whirlwind final 10 minutes.
Trapattoni was delighted with the character shown by his side, particularly when they were reduced to 10 men for several minutes against dangerous opponents when striker Caleb Folan went off to have four stitches put into a head wound.
The manager made no apologies for not making an immediate substitution, and he was ultimately rewarded for his patience when Folan returned.
He said: “Sometimes you need to be passionate. Injuries are dangerous, but it is important to wait a little and asses the situation.
“In my experience, I have made some bad decisions in these moments [taking players off], so I needed to wait a moment and see.”
Trapattoni’s attention was swiftly refocused on tonight’s game in Turin, a fixture which could see the reigning world champions extend their lead over Ireland to four points ahead of next month’s trip to Dublin, or Bulgaria reduce the gap between them and Trapattoni’s men to just two points.
Equally, a draw could open up the possibility of the Republic snatching the one automatic qualification place when they entertain Marcello Lippi’s men and Montenegro next month as the campaign draws to a climax.
