International friendly: Hungary 0 Republic of Ireland 0

A resolute performance from the Republic of Ireland earned them a 0-0 draw against Hungary in their final warm-up match before Euro 2012.

An open game saw both sides create chances but the finishing – most notably from Hungary’s Adam Szalai and Ireland’s Jon Walters – left much to be desired.

With rain pouring down in Budapest the kick-off was delayed but 15 minutes, but when play did get underway it was Ireland who started the better, with John O’Shea heading narrowly over.

Bolton and Hungary goalkeeper Adam Bogdan produced several good saves in the opening half-hour, and Szalai should have given his side the lead on 35 minutes.

A cross from the left caught out Richard Dunne following a slip but, after controlling well, Szalai could only strike tamely at Shay Given.

Keiren Westwood, introduced at half-time, kept Ireland in the game with a tremendous save in the 54th minute, diving low to stop an effort deflected towards goal by Szalai.

Simon Cox and Stephen Hunt came on and both almost played their parts in giving Ireland the lead with two opportunities for the away side on the counter-attack.

Both teams squandered further chances as the game at Ferenc Puskas Stadium ended in a draw.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland face Croatia on June 10 in their first game of Euro 2012, before clashes against Spain and Italy in Group C.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/international-friendly-hungary-0-republic-of-ireland-0/95871/

Republic held in Hungary World Soccer Shop

Shay Given and John O'Shea proved their fitness ahead of Euro 2012 as the Republic of Ireland drew 0-0 in Hungary on Monday night.

Given: Back in action for Ireland

Given excelled on his return from a knee injury before making a half-time exit, while O'Shea was given the full 90 minutes to prepare him for Sunday's opening Group C fixture against Croatia in Poznan.

With Croatia boss Slaven Bilic among the crowd, Ireland once again demonstrated the resilience which helped them qualify for the finals, although they failed to take any of the chances they created to win the game.

Defeat would have been harsh on Hungary, who controlled much of the game, and had it not been for the excellence of Given and replacement Keiren Westwood, as well as midfielder Stephen Hunt, they might have sent Giovanni Trapattoni's men on their way to Poland tomorrow on the back of a first defeat since March last year.

But the visitors survived to eclipse their 13-game unbeaten run under Brian Kerr between 2004 and 2006 and close in on Mick McCarthy's 16-game stretch more than a decade ago.

On a night when a clean bill of health was as important, if not more so, than the result, Ireland found themselves presented with a real test for a variety of reasons.

A spectacular thunderstorm over the Ferenc Puskas Stadium delayed the kick-off for 20 minutes and left the pitch slick, and once proceedings got under way Ireland found their hosts in little mood to give them an easy ride.

Trapattoni wanted both Given and O'Shea to have a good workout in their first game since the end of the Barclays Premier League season, and Given's health in particular was put to the test during the opening 45 minutes.

Dinamo Moscow midfielder Balazs Dzsudzsak was the main source of employment for the Aston Villa goalkeeper, first testing him with a skidding 17th-minute drive and then forcing him to make a fine save seconds later.

Given had already shifted his weight onto his right foot to cover another long-range effort, but after the ball took a wicked deflection he somehow managed to get back across and claw it away to safety one-handed.

His third save from Dzsudzsak did not have to be as spectacular, but he was kept on his toes throughout as Hungary, who finished third behind Holland and Sweden in qualification for the Euros, dominated for lengthy periods.

Ireland had started well and went close to the opening goal when O'Shea headed a seventh-minute Damien Duff cross onto the roof of the net.

Skipper Robbie Keane tested goalkeeper Adam Bogdan with a well-struck 14th-minute drive, but as Adam Pinter and Vladimir Koman got on top in the middle of the field, the home side began to make the running.

Richard Dunne made a perfectly-timed sliding tackle to deny Peter Szakaly a clear run on goal and Stephen Ward had to be equally resilient to dispossess striker Adam Szalai in the final minute of the half after he had worked his way into a shooting position inside the box.

The full-back needed treatment afterwards, but as Trapattoni held his breath, he returned to the field.

Given and striker Kevin Doyle did not after the break with Westwood and Jon Walters taking their place, but there was no suggestion that Given's departure was the result of anything sinister.

Westwood had little time to settle as Hungary resumed where they had left off with Sean St Ledger and Glenn Whelan having to make important blocks, before the Sunderland goalkeeper proved his worth by getting down well to keep out another Dzsudzsak shot after it had been deflected towards goal by Szalai.

But as Trapattoni rang the changes - Keane, Duff and Keith Andrews all departed in quick succession as Simon Cox, Hunt and Darron Gibson were given a run-out - Ireland began to make an impression once again.

Walters forced a rare save from Bogdan and then drilled a right-foot shot across the face of goal, but Cox might have snatched the win with 12 minutes remaining.

Dunne's towering defensive header set McGeady away and he played the ball into the path of the striker, whose shot was firm but did not elude the ever-vigilant Bogdan.

Westwood needed help six minutes from time when Imre Szabics' effort looked to be heading straight for the bottom corner, but fellow substitute Hunt was perfectly placed to clear.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17767/republic_held_in_hungary

Given braced for Hungary test

Shay Given believes that Ireland’s friendly in Hungary on Monday is an important stepping stone towards Euro 2012 for his side.

With Ireland’s opening game against Croatia in Poznan less than a week away, the Aston Villa goalkeeper is looking for a confidence-boosting win in Budapest.

“I think it’s important. Obviously the big game is next Sunday and we would like to go into that game with a win under our belts,” Given told RTE.

“Hungary had a very good result on Friday so they are obviously a very good team.

“We don’t know a lot of their players and they are at home as well, so it will be a tough game for us.

“It is just about us keeping our match fitness up. It’s important that we all put a good shift in.”

Despite some concerns over his knee injury, Given insists he is fully recovered and said the blisters that kept him out of training on Saturday are a minor irritation.

“It’s just nice to be out there again. Yesterday I had a problem with my two big toes. I have blisters on my two big toes,” he said.

“I just felt it was better to leave it yesterday because I could train today and I feel fine now.

“I’m just looking forward to getting playing again. It’s been a couple of weeks since the Premier League. I didn’t play in Dublin or in Italy during the week, so it’ll be nice to get a game under my belt before Sunday.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/given-braced-for-hungary-test/95861/

Keane lauds Irish spirit

Ireland’s record goalscorer, Robbie Keane, has suggested that the atmosphere within the camp under Giovanni Trapattoni is unrivalled.

The LA Galaxy forward says that he is very impressed by attitude that has been fostered under the Italian’s tenure, and expects it to help Ireland succeed at Euro 2012.

“It certainly does feel different this time,” Keane told the Irish Independent. “There has always been a great team spirit in the Irish camp, but for some reason this has been a little bit different.

“It’s the group of players, how well they get on with each other, it’s been brilliant. There have been no little niggles which you usually get in tournaments like this when you’re together for a long time.

“I mentioned before the Estonia game, that relaxed feeling we had before that game and it is very, very similar to now, to be honest.”

The Dubliner is fit and ready to get started at the tournament and he took the opportunity to praise the preparation of the Football Association of Ireland.

“I feel fine,” he said. “The last couple of weeks have been very good. We had the week in Malahide getting lads back together.

“Through that first week doing all the stuff we had to do outside of football, it’s been good that this week’s been fully concentrated on training.

“The lads are fit and sharp and on the training ground every day and I have seen that the sharpness of every player has been very good. This week now is where it starts.”

Ireland begin their Euro 2012 campaign against Croatia on Sunday.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/keane-lauds-irish-spirit/95852/

Trapattoni salutes Hungarian greats

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has expressed his admiration for Hungarian football culture and history.

Speaking to the Irish Times ahead of his side’s friendly international with Hungary in Budapest on Monday, Trapattoni compared Hungary’s former football prowess to Europe’s modern elite.

“Honved and Hungary were great teams with so many great players,” Trapattoni said. “They were a fantastic side, like Barcelona now.”

“I played against them, also Florian Albert, who was a member of the second great Hungary team. I knew them later too because many defected to Spain after the Russians invaded.”

The 73-year-old also warned that the current Hungarian side should not be underestimated in the slightest bit.

“The Hungarians still have that great tradition and the current team is part of that,” said Trapattoni.

“Their football school is very beautiful; very technical and creative.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/trapattoni-salutes-hungarian-greats/95842/

Ireland duo back in training World Soccer Shop

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni was handed a double boost on Thursday when Shay Given and John O'Shea both trained.

Given: Put through his paces on Thursday

Given, who was told to rest a knee injury following a visit to a London specialist last week, was back on the training ground at Borgo A Buggiano on Thursday morning, as was O'Shea, whose ankle problem has been a concern since before he joined up.

The players, who were given a day off on Wednesday, were in high spirits as they went through their paces in bright sunshine at the Stadio Comunale Alberto Benedetti.

They are due to leave their Montecatini base at the weekend for Budapest, where they will play their final warm-up game against Hungary on Monday.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17516/ireland_duo_back_in_training

Five-star Republic sink Tuscan XI World Soccer Shop

Discarded defender Kevin Foley played 45 minutes of the Republic of Ireland's 5-0 friendly win against a Tuscan XI on Tuesday night.

Keane: Made it 2-0

Just hours after being told he would not be going to Euro 2012 the Wolves defender was introduced as a half-time substitute in the victory over a Serie C and D representative side put together by Giovanni Trapattoni's former players, Ennio Pellegrini and Aldo Firicano.

Skipper Robbie Keane's first-half double either side of Simon Cox's strike eased the Republic out of sight by the break, and substitutes Shane Long and Jon Walters struck after it to complete the scoring on a night when the result was largely immaterial.

Foley's participation came after he had been told he was being left out of the final 23 for Poland and Ukraine despite clearly being fit with Paul McShane, who joined up last week as defensive cover, getting the nod instead.

The game, the proceeds from which were being donated to charity in memory of the late Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini, kicked off after the two teams observed a minute's silent in memory of the victims of Tuesday morning's earthquake, tremors from which were felt on Montecatini, at the Stadio Menali.

Keane set the ball rolling when he capitalised on an error by central defender Federico Settepassi to smash home a rising 18th-minute drive, and he might have made it 2-0 three minutes later after Corrado Colombo, his former Inter Milan team-mate, had hit the post at the other end, but miskicked in front of goal.

James McClean saw a 24th-minute shot beaten away by Francesco Gaffino, who produced a fine save to keep out Cox's effort from Stephen Hunt's cross, only for the striker to fire home the rebound.

Keane did help himself to a second goal after a slick build-up between Paul Green and Cox 14 minutes before the break.

Keane, McClean, Richard Dunne and Keiren Westwood made way at half-time for Long, Walters, Foley and David Forde, and the West Brom frontman hit the bar within three minutes of his arrival.

Forde had to get down well to keep out a 54th-minute strike from Gianluca Bugelli, but Long made it 4-0 after beating the offside trap 10 minutes later.

Green smashed a long-range 80th-minute shot wide after exchanging passes with Long, but Walters completed the scoring four minutes later after Foley's free-kick had been parried by substitute goalkeeper Tomasso Strambi.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17405/five_star_republic_sink_tuscan_xi

Foley out, McShane in for Irish World Soccer Shop

Injured Wolves defender Kevin Foley has been ruled out of Euro 2012, with Paul McShane replacing him in the Republic of Ireland squad.

Foley: Won't be part of Euro 2012 squad

Foley reported for duty with a hamstring problem and has been aiming ever since to shake it off, but he has now become the second man to be sent home following Birmingham midfielder Keith Fahey's departure at the weekend.

Republic coach Giovanni Trapattoni said: "Although Kevin has been recovering well, I have made the difficult decision to leave him out of the 23-player list after completing fitness tests on John O'Shea and Paul McShane this morning.

"I have spoken to him and understand how difficult it is, saying that he can remain with the squad if he wishes."

Ironically, Foley trained at the Stadio Comunale Alberto Benedetti in Borgo A Buggiano on Monday night, while McShane did not after suffering a bruised heel during Saturday's 1-0 friendly victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Dublin.

However, the inclusion of goalkeeper Shay Given and defender O'Shea, who have both been nursing injuries in the last week, suggests Trapattoni is confident they will both be fit in time for the opening fixture at the finals against Croatia on June 10.

Trapattoni said: "With the injuries that we experienced in the squad over the past week, I have had to make a tough decision when it comes to naming the 23 players that must be submitted to UEFA for the championship.

"Kevin Foley, John O'Shea, Paul McShane, Darren O'Dea, Shay Given had all been carrying knocks and we have been monitoring them closely in their recovery."

The Republic play a Tuscan Select XI in a friendly in Pistoia on Tuesday evening on a day when they and the inhabitants of Montecatini, the Italian spa town where they have based themselves for this week's training camp, felt the tremors from this morning's earthquake around 50 miles to the north.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17356/foley_out__mcshane_in_for_irish

Trapattoni handed fitness boost World Soccer Shop

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has received a series of fitness boosts ahead of Saturday's Euro 2012 warm-up game against Bosnia.

Trapattoni: Preparing for Saturday's game against Bosnia

Skipper Robbie Keane trained fully at Gannon Park in Malahide on Tuesday afternoon 24 hours after his arrival from Los Angeles to confirm his recovery from a hamstring strain.

He was joined by Shane Long, Jon Walters and Keith Andrews, who did not complete the morning session with minor niggles.

Keith Fahey, who has been nursing a groin problem, is progressing and is expected to be fit for the weekend, while a decision on Kevin Foley (hamstring) will be taken later in the week.

Keeper Shay Given, who had a scan on a knee injury on Monday, will not train on Wednesday, nor will defender Richard Dunne, who has a micro-tear in his lower abdominal wall.

John O'Shea, who has been all but ruled out of the Bosnia game, is unlikely to train on Wednesday, but like Dunne, is expected to be fit for the finals.

Given was sent for a scan on a knee injury he picked up in training yesterday, and a Football Association of Ireland spokesman confirmed on Tuesday: "After undergoing a scan, it was concluded that Shay should sit out training for the next two to three days for precautionary measures."

Trapattoni later suggested the 36-year-old Aston Villa keeper is his biggest concern ahead of Euro 2012 - which for the Republic kicks off against Croatia on June 10 - and hinted that either Sunderland's Keiren Westwood or David Forde of Millwall could play in Saturday's friendly against Bosnia.

He said: "There is only Shay Given, who has a little bit of a problem. We have to decide run the risk or stay. We have another two [keepers].

"For this game, we will decide with the doctor because at this moment, we don't need to run the risk."

Of Sunderland defender O'Shea, the FAI spokesman added: "Giovanni Trapattoni has also decided that John O'Shea may not partake in Saturday's game against Bosnia for precautionary measures, but has confirmed that John will be fit in time for Euro 2012.

"John is undergoing rehabilitative treatment this week on his ankle."

Ten members of the squad met up last Thursday with the bulk of the remainder arriving on Sunday for what will be a long haul whether they progress from the group or not.

Many will occupy their spare time by watching DVDs - striker Shane Long has brought his guitar, much to the consternation of room-mate Kevin Doyle - but for Trapattoni, there will be little time for relaxation.

Asked how he would unwind, he said: "We need to watch DVDs. We have so many DVDs, about Spain, about also Italy - we already know Italy - and Croatia.

"There are many friendlies and qualifying games, and that's important.

"We will see the teams and all the little situations to improve our information because I can't forget a little detail.

"Our job in the free time, I have only many DVDs to watch. But I love it.

"Football now, all the technology allows us to see everything, and those little situations, they are important."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16952/trapattoni_handed_fitness_boost

Keane joins Republic training World Soccer Shop

Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane was on the training pitch in Malahide with his team-mates for the first time on Tuesday morning.

Keane: Joined up with Ireland

The 31-year-old striker flew in from Los Angeles on Monday afternoon and was among the squad for the early part of first session of the day.

Keane, who is recovering from a minor hamstring strain, left early to return to the team hotel, but Trapattoni will be delighted to finally have him among the fold.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16912/keane_joins_republic_training

India look to Koevermans

Ireland’s International High Performance Director Wim Koevermans is set to take charge of India.

The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Executive Committee are expected to meet next month to approve the appointment.

The move follows the decision to give technical director Rob Baan the power to look out for Savio Medeira’s replacement following India’s disappointing performance at the Challenge Cup.

Baan, who saw India lose all their matches and fail to score a goal, had recommended Koevermans for the top job.

The 51-year-old made one appearance for the Netherlands and was part of the Euro 1988 winning squad under Rinus Michels but did not play.

As a player, he represented his hometown club FC Vlaardingen, Fortuna Sittard and Groningen.

Koevermans coached Eredivisie side NEC in the 1996-97 season, winning a desperate relegation fight.

But at MVV Maastricht he was less fortunate as they lost their promotion/relegation play-off after finishing 16th in the league.

He failed to guide them back to Eredivisie in the 2000-01 season as they were 13th.

Koevermans served as the youth coach for the Netherlands senior team between 2002 to 2008 and he currently also looks after the Ireland Under-21 side on a temporary basis.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/india-look-to-koevermans/95067/