Soccer: Staunton's last chance to play in finals
Steve Staunton has said that the 2002 World Cup is his last chance to play in the finals.
Ireland take on Croatia tonight at Lansdowne Road tonight in a warm-up game.
Ireland take on Holland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday September 1, while Croatia meet Scotland in an equally important decider the same afternoon.
Staunton will be extending his record haul of Irish appearances to 90 - meaning he is on target to be the first player to win a century of caps.
But he is more concerned with making it to the finals in Japan and South Korea next summer.
The Irish defender said: "I'm only as good as my last international. Those figures don't really matter so long as we get to the World Cup finals.
"It's great to be around when you see so many good young players coming into the Irish team with such quality.
"I have never wanted to depart from the squad and it is very rewarding that Mick McCarthy has kept faith in me.
"I remember what happened at Italia 90 and then four years later in America.
"It would be great if our young players could benefit from that type of experience - there is nothing to beat playing in the World Cup Finals."
