Forde keen to right wrongs of past German maulings
Having trounced Giovanni Trapattoni’s side 6-1 at the Aviva Stadium in the autumn of 2012 in the first meeting of the sides in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Ireland, with Forde then between the posts, salvaged some pride when sinking to a 3-0 defeat in the return game in Cologne last October.
And Forde is adamant that Jogi Löw’s Mannschaft certainly won’t have it as easy against Ireland overall when the sides again lock horns in qualifying for the next major campaign, believing Teutonic arrogance could work against them.
“You look at Germany’s record in qualifying for tournaments and they’ve been runaway leaders,” said the 15-times capped Forde. “But I still think they have shown a slight, defensively weak underbelly.
“Sweden showed that, even when we played them out in Germany, I know we got beaten 3-0, but we put some pressure on them and had some chances just before half-time. If we had taken them it could have been a different game.
“The German arrogance has been one of their strengths, but it can be one of their weaknesses too.”
Despite that 9-1 aggregate defeat, Forde says the Irish players should have nothing to fear this time round.
“The 6-1 at the Aviva was a freak result, really. It was a dark period in Irish football. We were off the back of a disappointing Euros where so much more was expected and it didn’t happen.
“It was a transitional period where we had lost some big players for the country. We were unfortunate in that regard to meet a fantastic German side at the time and they did punish us.”
The expansion of the tournament in France to 24 teams makes qualification more accessible and Forde expects Ireland to be pushing strongly to achieve it.
“With the two automatic qualification places it has opened right up. There is a fantastic opportunity there,” said the 34-year-old Millwall stopper.
Remaining Ireland’s recognised number one and achieving his goal of actually playing in a finals tournament is Forde’s aim.
Even the speculation on a possible return for Shay Given ahead of last week’s squad announcement for the friendly with Serbia on Wednesday, didn’t faze the Galway man.
“All I can do is concentrate on my own game and do what I do. What Shay Given does, or Darren (Randolf) or Keiren Westwood, that’s irrelevant to me. All I can do is my best for whatever team I play for and hopefully that’s good enough for the manager.
“I’ve been very pleased with the way I’ve performed for Ireland. Every time I put the shirt on I feel stronger and I feel there’s more improvement in me.”
And though at the tail end of his career, playing in the Premier League before he hangs up his gloves remains a big ambition.
“I can’t see why not. I’m still young, hungry and enthusiastic. It’s something I’m desperate to play in,” said Forde.
“I’ll just keep playing well for Millwall. I’ve been very pleased with my form this year. That’s all I can do and we’ll see what happens in the summer.
“We’ve a big game against Brighton at home on Saturday. Huge game. Hopefully, we’ll get a good result and over to meet up (with Ireland) on Sunday.”
* David Forde was in Dublin yesterday to help launch the Aviva Health FAI Primary School 5s.
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