As long as you don’t lose...

AS the sides lined up for the dignitaries before Saturday’s game, Robbie Keane showed an admirable focus despite his very obvious hunger for the task ahead.

With Croatian referee Ivan Bebek a little unsure where to put himself on the red carpet, the Irish captain showed admirable leadership, literally putting the official in his place.

Keane carried his enthusiasm into the opening seconds, immediately dispossessing the visitors from their own kick-off to send Stephen Hunt away down the left to win the free which led to Richard Dunne’s goal.

The captain’s endeavour continued throughout the first half but he would eventually fade from view as alarmingly as his team mates.

Naturally, he was frustrated afterwards. “It was one of those games where they defended well, were very compact and we had to play a lot of long balls and we gave away the ball too often,” he admitted. “We’re usually good when we play through the middle and get the ball to feet; that wasn’t the case. Bulgaria dominated in stages, kept the ball really well, something we should’ve done.

“In the second half we had a couple of chances, I don’t think they had many. Kev (Kilbane) was unlucky with the goal, the result was disappointing obviously but as long as you don’t lose games you’ve always got a chance of qualifying.”

Keane et al must travel to Bari now to take on the world champions.

“We’ve got to pick ourselves up because Italy is a massive game,” Keane said. “We’re playing one of the best teams in the world and these are the games where you need to get a result. We need to get the ball quicker to Aiden then we did tonight, the supply to him was limited.

“We were hitting too many long balls for myself and Doyler and while we won a few headers, we were outnumbered.”

Trapattoni, he insisted, was philosophical in the dressing room afterwards. “He was quite positive,” said Keane. “He stressed that we didn’t lose and to look at the overall picture. We’re disappointed having gone a goal ahead in the first minute but overall we’d have taken where we are starting the campaign.

“We knew Italy would be favourites and while we’re hoping to push them for the top of the table, people are thinking more about second. As long as you don’t lose, that’s the most important thing.

“We have to frustrate them on Wednesday; we have to keep the ball better. We’ve a lot of character in this team and there’s no reason why we can’t go there and get a result.”