SOCCER EURO 2012 QUALIFYING:ALL HAS changed. Gone are the windswept Wednesday nights in the crumbling old wonderland that was Lansdowne Road. Instead, the gleaming glass jewel on the site of the old ground and a Tuesday night international that gave Ireland their first competitive win.
Not quite a magical beginning to the Irish story in the Aviva Stadium, with plenty of empty seats on show and the lights out in several of the prestige boxes. But with a crowd of 40,283 the glass was more than half-full and the Ireland team took care of business in one of the more straightforward tasks in their European qualifying campaign.
A 3-1 win over Andorra will not send tremors across the Continent but it was comfortable and the brightness in the Ireland play offers optimism ahead of the crucial visit of Russia in October.
Slovakia’s audacious win in Moscow early yesterday evening was the first intimation of yet another twisting, nail-biting “road” for this Irish team.
The first two goals came from the Kevins, Kilbane and Doyle, the first an honourable tradesman’s efforts from a corner, the second a sweet left-foot strike that Doyle will remember for a long time.
“A beautiful goal, a fantastic goal,” was the serenade from Giovanni Trapattoni afterwards and the Italian has seen a few. Ireland’s grace note came, almost inevitably, from the captain, Robbie Keane, bringing his career tally to 44 and counting.
“I predicted the second game could be better for us and that we would score more goals,” said Trapattoni. “That happened and I am glad – not only for the result but I am glad because at the team meeting we spoke about enthusiasm and pressure. We played with personality and now we must continue.”
Spartak fans are bound to be pleased with whatever highlights from this match are broadcast in Moscow. Full mischief had returned to Aiden McGeady’s game last night as he prepares to face into the joys of a Russian winter.
The Glasgow boy has always been about quickness of mind as much as foot and both were in synchronicity last night as he looked to dance through the gaps in the Andorran defence. It was his feint and cross that created the corner which led to Kilbane’s goal and his floating run infield that set up Keane’s strike.
McGeady is often too loose with the ball and can make inexplicable mistakes but he has something of the rare stuff that cannot be coached. “I congratulate him but not only for what he showed us,” the Ireland manager said. “This is his quality. In two years I ask him: remember you can do more than dribble fast, cross, shooting. But also in position. He can play 30 per cent more ball because he understands many positions. I am happy for him because this evening he was one of the best in the picture.”
There was something appropriate about the sight of Kilbane claiming Ireland’s first home goal in these European championships. Old soldiers from Kilbane’s first days in green must look at Kilbane and wonder if there isn’t a decrepit picture of him locked away in the attic.
Even before the goal, Ireland had demonstrated a desire to mark this new era with a performance containing style as well as the usual robust honesty. But the endeavour came first: Keane worked, as ever, with heart-bursting intensity and Doyle shook off a clattering challenge from Ildefons Lima with a rueful shake of his head and a grin.
Elsewhere, Darren Gibson made an appearance and Trapattoni later confirmed that he did not suggest the Derry lad should quit Manchester United in order to improve his game. Something was lost in translation.
“No” Trapattoni explained afterwards. “ I thought in this great team it is not easy improve because he play with 10, eight great players. Do you know how many Manchester United game I saw? Many, many, many. Gibson must say: ‘I win the ball. I want the ball.’ That is important. He can improve his personality because he can play fantastic football.”
The Andorran goalkeeper could do nothing but admire Doyle’s strike, like the rest of us. Doyle, engaged in his usual ferocious hustle of the Andorran defenders, dispossessed Sergi Moreno, looked up and let fly from 25 yards. It was a beautiful, dipping left shot and it was perfect. Doyle wheeled away in celebration and the crowd sat back for the next goal.
Not that they expected it to come from Christian Martinez. Andorra’s goal inspired several seconds of complete silence in the stadium. It might have been a portent of the fact that this group, like all of Ireland’s qualifying campaigns, will come down to slippery goals scored by unlikely players and agonising mathematics. But as on their last visit here nine years ago, Andorra left with a moment to celebrate.
“Football is so,” sighed Trapattoni, reminiscing about a similar goal he scored for Italy against Austria back when Lansdowne Road was still young. It was one of those beautiful freaks football can produce. He was not going to worry about it. A good night for the Irish then, even if the Aviva stadium has yet to feel the full tremors of an Irish crowd in full voice. That night will come before long.
