Mick McCarthy believes that the Republic of Ireland's international experience will help them to progress from their "tough" Euro 2004 qualifying group.
"It's a tough group as there are no real minnows but it's one we can qualify from. My players are better players now. They've had more experience of international football and learned how to win games," said the Republic of Ireland manager, whose team were among the top seeds for the draw made in Porto this morning.
McCarthy admitted that the draw had been more kind than in previous tournaments. "The last group was harder, and I think the group before that with Yugoslavia and Croatia when the two teams were flying at the time, was a harder one. I think that we can progress, but it will be tough. It's a workmanlike group, there's no real Mediterranean flair. There will be some players who can do it, but we've got some of those," said McCarthy.
"Sometimes in the past, we have been better playing against the bigger teams, but we are a better side now and better able to deal with it. We have confidence that we can go to places and beat some of the so-called minnows," he added.
Ireland were drawn against Russia, Switzerland, Georgia and Albania. Switzerland will not be pleased to be drawn in the same qualifying group as Russia, having lost out to them in the World Cup 2002 qualifiers. Russia topped that group, ahead of strong challenges from Slovenia and Yugoslavia.
Of the other challengers, Albania can be seen as the real weak link, having finished bottom in England's group. Georgia were third in their World Cup group, but came in a full ten points behind winners Italy.
Elsewhere, the draw gave Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy the chance to repeat his 1982 World Cup heroics against Spain when the underdogs beat the host nation. In a tough group for the Northerners, they have also been drawn against Ukraine, Greece and Armenia. McIlroy has backed his team to cause a few surprises. "It was an unforgettable night and we showed then what just can be done," he said.
England's main obstacle will be Turkey, while reigning champions France have been handed an easy draw with Slovenia, Israel, Cyprus and Malta standing between them and qualification.
With Portugal through already as hosts, only the group winners will qualify automatically. The 10 runners-up will face home and away play-offs for the five remaining final spots.
Group 1:France; Slovenia; Israel; Cyprus; MaltaGroup 2:Romania; Denmark; Norway; Bosnia-Herzegovina; LuxembourgGroup 3:Czech Republic; Holland; Austria; Belarus; MoldovaGroup 4:Sweden; Poland; Hungary; Latvia; San MarinoGroup 5:Germany; Scotland; Iceland; Lithuania; Faroe IslandsGroup 6:Spain; Ukraine; Greece; Northern Ireland; ArmeniaGroup 7:Turkey; England; Slovakia; FYR Macedonia; LiechtensteinGroup 8:Belgium; Croatia; Bulgaria; Estonia; AndorraGroup 9:Italy; Yugoslavia; Finland; Wales; AzerbaijanGroup 10:Rep of Ireland; Russia; Switzerland; Georgia; Albania
Filed by Greg McKevitt
