Cards fall perfectly for Trap

SO, Ireland face a play-off in order to get to a play-off. But at the least, unlike Paris, Giovanni Trapattoni’s side only need a draw against Armenia on Tuesday to jump this particular hurdle.

And that means, for once, the manager’s oft-criticised approach at home might be perfectly suited to the occasion.

In Moscow, of course, it will be just the single point that Russia require in order to top the group too on account of their superior head-to-head record against Ireland — as if there’s any doubt that they’ll beat Andorra.

Because, before last night’s trip to the principality, there had been much trepidation about whether Andorra’s awkward defensive approach would frustrate an Irish side lacking in guile. That lasted seven minutes.

Indeed, Kevin Doyle’s early goal leant a surreal air to the occasion. After so much build-up and tension, we ended up watching an effective training exercise for 83 minutes.

But, if anything, the eerie calm only amped up the anticipation for Tuesday.

Revealingly, the Armenians are the only team in this group to actually put more than three goals past Andorra. And, last night against Macedonia, they scored four for the second game in a row. With 21 goals over all, they are far and away the top scorers in the group and without doubt the form team.

So, although the circumstances suit Trapattoni, the timing doesn’t.

In truth, that creates an intriguing dynamic to Tuesday’s game.

Ironically, after so much debate and — occasionally justified — criticism of Trapattoni’s unconvincing, cautious style at home, it might be perfect for Tuesday’s game.

Before we give too much praise to the manager’s masterplan, however, it’s worth considering a few caveats.

Had Trapattoni played an extra man in midfield against either Russia at home or Slovakia away — or showed a little more initiative against the latter in Lansdowne Road — then Ireland might well have claimed top spot for themselves.

Sure, Russia deserve credit for the manner in which they raised their game as the group got into its most exacting stage but they were hardly resounding winners. The group was a lot more open than the final night suggests. In saying, it is remarkable how events have fallen into place for Trapattoni — who is so famously known throughout Italy as a “lucky manager”.

He’s often been castigated for playing for a draw at home. And yet, on Tuesday, that’s exactly what he must do.

Indeed, it’s his sort of game. Ireland only need to keep it tight, take care of the “little details” and they’ll surely claim the draw they need. With Armenia so dangerous and incisive on the break, it would be counter-productive to offer them up space at the back. But, with Ireland not needing a win, Trapattoni will have no inclination to do that. And, given the circumstances, he’s unlikely to hear the usual groans from the crowd.

Only deepening the sense that it has somewhat fallen together for Trapattoni, last night could even be described as the perfect preparation.

Before the game, it seemed overly conservative to play his usual two defensive midfielders against Andorra. But the early goal ensured this was another opportunity to fine-tune the team’s shape.

And that could be necessary after Stephen Ward’s foolish dive. His booking — and subsequent suspension — was the only downside to last night. Trapattoni will now require a defensive reshuffle ahead of a game that demands discipline and understanding at the back.

But, at the least, confidence was gleaned elsewhere. Doyle scored his first international goal since the last meeting with Andorra in October last year while Aiden McGeady finished superbly to claim what was only his second for his country.

And, most of all, Trapattoni finds himself in a position on Tuesday in which he himself is most comfortable. The only issue is that, beyond that, Ireland have never exactly been the same in the play-offs. It could have been different. But that’s a detail for after Tuesday.

First, Ireland must do what they’re best at.