World Cup: Reid backs Republic to beat Iran

Midfielder Steven Reid does not expect a two-leg play-off against Iran to trouble the Republic of Ireland side who knocked Holland out of the World Cup.

Republic manager Mick McCarthy was in Abu Dhabi to watch Iran beat the United Arab Emirates 3-0 in the second leg of their Asian zone World Cup qualifying play-off to earn a 4-0 aggregate win.

The result means McCarthy's side will face Iran in Dublin on November 10 and Tehran five days later in a bid to book their place at next year's finals in Japan and South Korea.

Millwall player Reid, called into the Ireland squad, said: "For them (Iran) to get as far as they have they are clearly a good side, but we showed against Holland (who Ireland beat 1-0 on September 1) that we can beat anyone, so we have nothing to fear."

Reid does not know much about the Republic's opponents, who are coached by Miroslav Blazevic, the man who led Croatia to a third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup in France.

"All I know is that they are one of the strongest teams in the Asian group and I think it will be a very tough game," said Reid.

Ireland buckled at the play-off stage in their last two attempts to qualify for a major finals after defeats against Belgium and Turkey kept them out of the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

However, Reid said: "We've got a squad with world-class players throughout and I wouldn't have thought there will be that many nerves.

"It was equally nerve-wracking against Holland, knowing we needed something if we were to get through.

"We know if we win the next two games we will be there and with players like Roy Keane in the squad you expect to get a result."