Manager Mick McCarthy has named an unchanged Republic of Ireland team for the third consecutive match ahead of tomorrow night's World Cup Group Two qualifier against Estonia at Lansdowne Road. After splendid draws away to group favourites Holland and Portugal, McCarthy said, "It was an easy decision. If I'd made changes after those two performances anyone who was left out would have been entitled to ask what the hell he'd done wrong."
But McCarthy warned the pressure is still on Ireland as they now face the team currently leading the group with six points from three matches. He said, "The expectation will be high for us to produce our first home win of the campaign now and we can be satisfied with nothing less. We are going back to our old 4-4-2 formation at home and must be committed to attack. Estonia are very organised, dangerous from set-pieces and have a good deal of height in the side. They also have a very good goalkeeper in Mart Poom of Derby County. If it happens that we have to just grind them down for a scrappy 1-0 win then so be it."
In a break from tradition, McCarthy conducted a behind-closed-doors final training session at Lansdowne Road this morning. He explained, "There is nothing sinister about it but we were working on our set-pieces and you don't want the opposition around having a good look. In a tight game you are always aware that it could be a free-kick that does the job for you." Matt Holland, whose goal earned the 1-1 draw in Portugal on Saturday, will again start on the bench.
Estonia manager Tarmo Ruutli said he was expecting a hard game against the Irish, who he described as an accomplished passing side, but was looking to come away with at least a point from the game at Lansdowne Road. "We will be under pressure like Ireland were in their game against Portugal, but I'm sure that we have enough strength to be dangerous to Ireland," Ruutli said. "A point from an away game would be a very satisfying result."
Republic of Ireland team to face Estonia at Lansdowne Road tomorrow: Kelly; Carr, Breen, Dunne, Harte; McAteer, Kinsella, Roy Keane (capt), Kilbane; Robbie Keane, Quinn.
Filed by Sean Doran
