REP OF IRELAND v ANDORRA REACTION:OVER THE weekend Giovanni Trapattoni found himself in the unusual position of criticising his team's first performance of a new campaign more than many of the pundits paid to pick holes.
It was an unusual about turn for a man who, before kick-off in Yerevan, stated he would have been happy with exactly the result his team eventually produced, courtesy of Keith Fahey’s goal.
Last night, after his side barely illuminated the new stadium in their first competitive outing against infinitely inferior opposition to Armenia, he reverted to type.
After seeing a header from Kevin Kilbane, a wonderful strike from Kevin Doyle and neat finish from Robbie Keane secure victory, he understandably extolled the virtues of two wins and maximum points.
“Yesterday I hoped with the better weather we could play a better and different game than against Armenia. I predicted the second game could be better for us and we could score more goals.
“That happened and I am glad not only for the result but because the team started the game with enthusiasm and pressure and looked immediately to score the goal.
“It was a pity their goal but in the second half we played with personality and now the team they play with the right mentality.”
The manager was happy to put their goal down to being “one of those strikes” that hits the postage stamp on occasion and avoided any criticism of his “perfect” defence, despite the fact Sean St Ledger and Kilbane appeared more concerned with the lack of a flag from the linesman than with closing down Christian Martinez’s shot.
He was also keen to praise Aiden McGeady, who enjoyed his most lively game in some time, though his end product, as is his wont, left something to be desired. “I am happy because the team play the way I like. When they can play well, they can do it but they know what to do when it’s more difficult.
“The team understood what I wanted. It was a pity we conceded a goal but our reaction was good.
“I saw a very beautiful performance from Kevin Doyle, who scored a fantastic goal.
“Liam Lawrence and Robbie Keane were good. The defence was perfect. Paul Green was good and Aiden McGeady had one of his best games.
“McGeady delivered what I have been asking him to do for the last two years and remember that we have Damien Duff and Stephen Hunt.
“I am confident about our future, we have six points, Slovakia also have six points, we have a goal more.”
The Italian insisted that, after their 1-0 win in Moscow, Slovakia were every bit as dangerous as Russia. “Normally it would not be my habit to underestimate any team, like Macedonia for example. But Slovakia and Russia will be our strongest rivals to finish first.
“Slovakia’s win in Russia was not a surprise for me. Russia played well but their defence made a mistake and Slovakia scored.
“I am sure they will be a very strong opponent, like Russia.”
Andorran manager Koldo Alvarez said afterwards Dick Advocaat’s side are very different from Trapattoni’s, but the “one thing you have that they don’t is six points”.
True enough.
