Nothing is easy for the
Republic of Ireland Boys, since the qualifiers as I have been telling you until
now, it do not come easy for Martin O’ Neill and his Green Army. After that horrible
loss against the Red Devils of Belgium, this squad needed a miracle and by far their
moment came in.
Still the outcome and
prospects of netting a victory against a rival of the proportions of Italy,
this match did not offered a laid-back afternoon for the Republic of Ireland
chaps.
Before this week for
the Azzurri Manager Antonio Conte, his outcome of this match was a bleak one
and not a positive one after doing an inspection of the pitch at Stade Pierre Mauroy,
which did not, impressed the Italian Boss. Very well condemning its poor state
that could risk his players with a serious injury.
As they, state the show
must go on and for the Italians Boss his compromise of today was to show and
play and observe his squad on the eve of his upcoming second round match against
former World Champions Spain. Despite they already insured their pass into the next
rounds nobody said that this was going to be a walk in the park for the Irish.
Because it was not, in
the whole ninety minutes of play when the Irish came knocking in the door of Ireland’s
keeper Darren Randolph who really earned his pay with a series of acrobatics
and opportune stops. Do not count Salvatore Sirigu out of the picture as he did
his share of saves from the menacing Green wave trying to put a ball inside his
nets.
A very leveled match as
both squads really showed off their might as the World Champions as always
showing off their might sand one of a kind technique and defensive football even
though Conte sent a formation of 3-5-2.
The Italians
strategies and formation could not stop a full spirited and hungry Republic of Ireland
dynamic Football the utmost of glories.
In the case of Irelands
Boss O’ Neill with his 4-4-2 formation and seeing all afternoon long how his
Boys came near the posts of Sirigu, it came the moment when the Boys in Green
started the pressure in the last minutes of the game.
It all started when
the Boys in Green started with a run from their backfield from midfielder Aidan
Mc Geady coming into the center and passing to Wes Hoolahan who served a long
pass to whom it became the hero of the game
in Robbie Brady.
By beating the Italian
keeper by just pushing the ball in the 84th minute, the whole of
Lille went into a state of madness from the followers of the Green Army that possibly
of their high decibels of noise they could been heard all the way to Dublin.
One moment the followers
of the Green Army were waiting for was the final whistle from the official in
turn and when it happened, the whole bench of the Republic of Ireland bench went
ballistic in complete happiness after doing the unthinkable of qualifying.
Since taking over the
reins of the Republic of Ireland, Manager Martin O’ Neill and his assistant Roy
Keane have suffered with their Boys in Green in making things happen as nothing
has been handed to them in a platter.
At the end we can
considered this year a one of that in the Emerald Isle will be remembered for a
long time after both of its squads have made a historical and amazing of feats by
both advancing into the second rounds of Euro as a first.
As the Norn Iron
advance with a little help from its friends, the Green Army did it with all
around style and determination by its initial eleven. The Republic of Ireland, once again put on another
test of its strength and wills with no other than its hosts France.
After beating Germany in the qualifiers and Italy
today to seal their pass, the Republic of Ireland can play anyone and become the
surprise of this Euro.
For now, the Boys
from both Erin’s are in the Elite 16 and looking to write history for both of
their federations, still give credit to Manager Martin O’ Neill for the all-around
accomplishment.
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Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos
Credit and Property of © Associated Newspapers LTD 2016
Photos Credit and Property of © Republic
of Ireland Irish Football Association 2016
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