SOCCER:AFTER A decade of coming up short in the qualifying rounds of tournaments, Republic of Ireland assistant coach Marco Tardelli suggested yesterday victory over Estonia and qualification for a first major championship since the 2002 World Cup could transform the fortunes of this team far beyond next summer as players would reap the benefits of greatly-enhanced reputations in their club careers.

Tardelli, who won the World Cup with Italy in 1982, acknowledged there is a huge amount of pride at stake, both for the players and the Irish public.

But he insisted opportunities could open up for members of the squad who have previously had to drop out of the top flight to secure regular first-team football – which would, in turn, benefit the national side as it sought to push on and qualify for the World Cup in Brazil.

“I don’t know about other players,” said the 57-year-old after yesterday’s training session in Malahide, “but for me it was very important (to qualify for big tournaments). I’m very close to my country and I think these Irish players are too. I feel very emotional every time I stand on the pitch for the national anthems. I don’t know about the others but I think it will be the same.

“It’s very important for everyone, though: for the country, for the families and, of course, for the players. If one is playing in the championship and he does well in a European game then it’s possible for him to sign a new contract in the Premier League or in another country. This is important.

“This is the match of a lifetime for many of our players,” he continued. “It’s important for them to qualify because the players need a boost as well in terms of new contracts. For some of the players it is the last chance to be seen around the world.”

Beyond Britain, Robbie Keane is the country’s biggest football export, with the striker edging Aiden McGeady for the title, and the Ireland skipper touched back down yesterday morning in Dublin where he provided an indication of his eagerness to make an impact on Friday’s game by insisting on taking a full part in training rather than resting after the overnight flight.

“I told him it was okay to rest but he said he preferred to train,” confirmed Tardelli.

“I watched the match (LA Galaxy versus Real Salt Lake in the early hours of Monday morning), he played well and it’s good he feels it’s better for him to train. It’s good for us that he feels so good because we have problems with the other strikers; with (Shane) Long and (Leon) Best, and (Kevin) Doyle, who is suspended, so I think we need Robbie Keane and he understands that responsibility.”

Tardelli dismissed concerns about Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Keith Andrews and Keith Fahey who missed some or all of yesterday’s training session, insisting all would travel with the squad to Tallinn this afternoon and be fit for selection on Friday.

“Richard Dunne and Shay Given just needed a bit of a rest,” he said in relation to the two most prominent members of the quartet.

“Richard has a small problem with his knee, Shay has a little problem with his back but I think after they rest today, tomorrow it will be possible for them to train.”

Andrews, he explained, has a cold, while “Fahey has a little problem with his knee but I’m sure he’ll be fit to play against Estonia”.

Tardelli, like Giovanni Trapattoni before him, was anxious to shake off the idea that the Irish already have one foot in the finals.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “When we saw the draw we were very happy because we drew Estonia but let’s be clear, Estonia were very happy too because they drew us. It was the same thing.

“We are not favourites. We have a 50 per cent chance, like Estonia. If we think we are favourites then it would be very dangerous.

“They are strong physically, have a good balance between the midfield and the strikers. I think he (manager Tarmo Ruutli) has a good team.

“Maybe he is lacking a little bit of creativity, maybe, but it’s a good team and it has shown it by scoring 15 goals . . . like us . . . and finished second . . . like us. So we have to be careful.”

Goalkeeper David Forde of Millwall has returned to his club with a thigh strain and is replaced by Darren Randolf of Motherwell.