Ireland won’t hold back in Tel Aviv, says Kerr

SATURDAY, March 26 could prove to be a pivotal date in Group 4 of the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.

That's according to Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr who yesterday named a 23 man squad for the game against Israel on that day, and the friendly against China at Lansdowne Road the following Tuesday.

"With France playing Switzerland and our game in Israel, it's going to be a very important day," said Kerr. "But, no matter what happens on Saturday week, there'll be a few twists and turns before the end of the group. We'll only be half-way through the campaign and there will still be a lot of points to play for and a lot of results that are going to be crucial to the group. But there is no doubt that it's a very important day with the top four teams involved."