Trapattoni dwells on positives but defensive lapses remain

NOW that’s entertainment. Five goals, countless more chances and a helter-skelter finish to fray the nerves. The result may have gone against him, but even the Irish manager pronounced himself happy with the occasion.

“Normally after we lose I am not happy,” said Giovanni Trapattoni, “but this evening I am not as sad because it was a friendly game and I saw confirmation of what I was looking for with some players that we wanted to see.

“We started the game well but they made better use of their situations. This (Poland) team has played together a long time. They are strong and fast but this was still a positive situation for me.