World Cup: Cunningham says pressure is on Ireland

Republic of Ireland defender Kenny Cunningham admits the side will have no excuses if they throw away their precious three-point Group Two lead and blow their World Cup 2002 qualification bid.

The 30-year-old has called on his international team-mates to keep their nerve when the Irish take on Holland in the penultimate group fixture in Dublin on September 1.

Cunningham and Ireland striker David Connolly, who has just joined him at First Division Wimbledon, joined forces to emphasise the huge importance of the Holland game.

Connolly, 24, is getting stuck into pre-season training with the Selhurst Park club, ironically after moving from Dutch giants Feyenoord last week.

Both are preparing for the Dons’ opening league match, at home to Birmingham a week on Saturday, but have one eye on the international friendly with Croatia four days later and then the showdown with the Dutch that Connolly describes as ‘‘vitally important’’.

The duo know September 1 is a date with huge importance attached to it and Cunningham has told the team not to bottle out.

‘‘We’ve enough caps under our belt, so we can no longer use inexperience as an excuse,’’ he said.