Ireland wonder what might have been after late Suan song

REGRETS? You can bet there’s one or two.

If only Damien Duff's late effort had been deflected under, rather than onto, the bar. If only Stephen Carr hadn't coughed up possession in the corner in the run-up to the equaliser. If only Shay Given had seen Abbas Suan's shot come through the mass of bodies a split second earlier.

Secondary details that should not be allowed to obscure the bigger picture why Ireland opted to keep Israel at arm's length for 87 minutes and not go for the jugular.