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Irish Times
Oct 8 2011
Keane a major doubt for finale
Soccer: Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane is a major doubt for
Tuesday's Group B decider against Armenia at the Aviva Stadium after
undergoing a scan on an abductor muscle injury on Saturday.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni had sounded upbeat before the open
training session at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday afternoon, one in
which he rested his starting XI from the 2-0 win over Andorra on
Friday night.
The FAI later released a medical update on the player, with Trapattoni
confirming the player was a `strong doubt' for Tuesday's clash.
Keane, 31, complained of soreness in his abductor muscle after
returning from Andorra during the early hours of this morning, a
journey that involved a three-hour bus trip back to Barcelona to
connect with a flight.
He played the full 90 minutes against the minnows and missed a number
of chances to add to his record international goal tally for his
country.
If the LA Galaxy striker is ruled out, Shane Long will come into the
picture to partner his former Reading team-mate Kevin Doyle, after
replacing him for the final 15 minutes on Friday night.
Trapattoni was boosted today by the arrival of Stoke frontman Jonathan
Walters, who withdrew from the squad for the game in Andorra with an
ankle problem.
Trapattoni's only new concern is finding a replacement for left back
Stephen Ward, who picked up his second yellow card last night and will
be suspended on Tuesday evening.
However, with Richard Dunne available after serving his own ban, the
manager has options with John O'Shea's renowned versatility one
possible solution.
Ward was booked by Czech referee Libor Kovarik for diving as he went
into a challenge in the Andorran penalty area.
Ward said: `I thought it was very harsh, to be honest. He clipped me
as I went down, so I don't think I intentionally had a dive. I don't
think it was a yellow card.
`It's just one of those things, it's disappointing. He clipped me, so
what else can I do? It should have been a penalty. All the lads have
seen it and they think it was as well.'
Ahead of the training session, Trapattoni insisted he has not been
surprised by Armenia's barnstorming finish to the Euro 2012 qualifying
campaign.
The Armenians, who lost 1-0 at home to Ireland in the first round of
qualifiers in September last year, have won each of their last three
games, against Andorra, Slovakia and Macedonia, and scored 11 goals in
the process.
But asked if he had been surprised by their late surge, Trapattoni
said: `No. Maybe if you know the players who play for Armenia, it is
not a surprise.
`The Armenian players play in strong leagues, and some of our players
play in the Championship. If you think about it, it is no surprise.
`We must play with 100 per cent mentality and 100 per cent attitude
and 100 per cent concentration, and be careful of silly mistakes.
`We are in this position because of one or two silly mistakes against
Russia, for example.
`Armenia is a very, very strong team. They have scored more goals than
us and we must pay very, very much attention.'
The 72-year-old Italian will send his team into their final group game
with his own future still undecided amid speculation that he will be
offered an extended contract should he guide them to the play-offs.
However, as his second qualifying campaign draws to a close - the
first ended in a controversial aggregate defeat by France which denied
him a trip to the World Cup in South Africa - Trapattoni is confident
significant progress has been made.
He said: `At this stage, I hope I have succeeded in instilling a
mentality in our players.
`Unfortunately, I am quite demanding because in the past, I have built
this mentality with teams I have previously managed. I am very pleased
with our way, but we can improve again.
`Yesterday evening, I said we want to look at Manchester United.
Obviously, we do not have the players of Manchester United, but with
their mentality, with attitude, with balance, I think we can achieve.'
Ireland's Rugby World Cup exit was unfolding as Trapattoni and his
players touched down in Dublin during the early hours of this morning
following a gruelling trip back from Andorra.
Trapattoni said: `I am sorry that Ireland lost in rugby against Wales
because Brian O'Driscoll and his team are our friends and we wished
them to do well. But sport is sport and it teaches us that when we
have the right mentality, we can achieve every result.'
http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/1008/1224305493081.html
Oct 8 2011
Keane a major doubt for finale
Soccer: Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane is a major doubt for
Tuesday's Group B decider against Armenia at the Aviva Stadium after
undergoing a scan on an abductor muscle injury on Saturday.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni had sounded upbeat before the open
training session at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday afternoon, one in
which he rested his starting XI from the 2-0 win over Andorra on
Friday night.
The FAI later released a medical update on the player, with Trapattoni
confirming the player was a `strong doubt' for Tuesday's clash.
Keane, 31, complained of soreness in his abductor muscle after
returning from Andorra during the early hours of this morning, a
journey that involved a three-hour bus trip back to Barcelona to
connect with a flight.
He played the full 90 minutes against the minnows and missed a number
of chances to add to his record international goal tally for his
country.
If the LA Galaxy striker is ruled out, Shane Long will come into the
picture to partner his former Reading team-mate Kevin Doyle, after
replacing him for the final 15 minutes on Friday night.
Trapattoni was boosted today by the arrival of Stoke frontman Jonathan
Walters, who withdrew from the squad for the game in Andorra with an
ankle problem.
Trapattoni's only new concern is finding a replacement for left back
Stephen Ward, who picked up his second yellow card last night and will
be suspended on Tuesday evening.
However, with Richard Dunne available after serving his own ban, the
manager has options with John O'Shea's renowned versatility one
possible solution.
Ward was booked by Czech referee Libor Kovarik for diving as he went
into a challenge in the Andorran penalty area.
Ward said: `I thought it was very harsh, to be honest. He clipped me
as I went down, so I don't think I intentionally had a dive. I don't
think it was a yellow card.
`It's just one of those things, it's disappointing. He clipped me, so
what else can I do? It should have been a penalty. All the lads have
seen it and they think it was as well.'
Ahead of the training session, Trapattoni insisted he has not been
surprised by Armenia's barnstorming finish to the Euro 2012 qualifying
campaign.
The Armenians, who lost 1-0 at home to Ireland in the first round of
qualifiers in September last year, have won each of their last three
games, against Andorra, Slovakia and Macedonia, and scored 11 goals in
the process.
But asked if he had been surprised by their late surge, Trapattoni
said: `No. Maybe if you know the players who play for Armenia, it is
not a surprise.
`The Armenian players play in strong leagues, and some of our players
play in the Championship. If you think about it, it is no surprise.
`We must play with 100 per cent mentality and 100 per cent attitude
and 100 per cent concentration, and be careful of silly mistakes.
`We are in this position because of one or two silly mistakes against
Russia, for example.
`Armenia is a very, very strong team. They have scored more goals than
us and we must pay very, very much attention.'
The 72-year-old Italian will send his team into their final group game
with his own future still undecided amid speculation that he will be
offered an extended contract should he guide them to the play-offs.
However, as his second qualifying campaign draws to a close - the
first ended in a controversial aggregate defeat by France which denied
him a trip to the World Cup in South Africa - Trapattoni is confident
significant progress has been made.
He said: `At this stage, I hope I have succeeded in instilling a
mentality in our players.
`Unfortunately, I am quite demanding because in the past, I have built
this mentality with teams I have previously managed. I am very pleased
with our way, but we can improve again.
`Yesterday evening, I said we want to look at Manchester United.
Obviously, we do not have the players of Manchester United, but with
their mentality, with attitude, with balance, I think we can achieve.'
Ireland's Rugby World Cup exit was unfolding as Trapattoni and his
players touched down in Dublin during the early hours of this morning
following a gruelling trip back from Andorra.
Trapattoni said: `I am sorry that Ireland lost in rugby against Wales
because Brian O'Driscoll and his team are our friends and we wished
them to do well. But sport is sport and it teaches us that when we
have the right mentality, we can achieve every result.'
http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/1008/1224305493081.html