World Cup: McCarthy relaxed about Iran trip

Mick McCarthy claims he has no worries about taking the Republic of Ireland to Iran for their World Cup play-off on November 15.

McCarthy was in Abu Dhabi yesterday to watch Iran beat the United Arab Emirates 3-0 in the second leg of their Asian zone 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.

And despite current US air strikes against neighbouring Afghanistan, McCarthy insists no-one in the Irish party should be concerned over being caught up in any trouble.

‘‘I was there for the first game against the UAE last week and we were treated with great respect and friendliness and given a very warm welcome,’’ McCarthy said.

‘‘I am sure that the team is going to get a hot reception but that is the same wherever you go.

‘‘In terms of being welcomed, we have no problems and we did not see any trouble. There were no ill feelings towards us and any troubles that are happening are five or six hundred miles away.

‘‘I have been out there. We went round to look at hotels, grounds and pitches, to meet people and their FA.

‘‘I would not ask any player to do anything I wouldn’t do and there is not a problem.

‘‘The only problem we have got is beating Iran they are pretty good.’’

Iran are coached by Miroslav Blazevic, the man who led Croatia to a third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup in France.

And McCarthy knows the team which famously beat the United States in the group stages at France ’98 will be no pushovers.

‘‘Iran are a good experienced side,’’ added the Irish boss. ‘‘They have got good strength and athletic players and one or two technically-gifted players up front. It will be a difficult test for us.’’

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.

And they are sure to be given a torrid time by the Iranian’s fanatical 100,000 support in the return leg, which makes getting a result in Dublin all the more important.

McCarthy added: ‘‘We’re only playing against 11 players. All that atmosphere and supporters might give them an edge to player better, but we don’t have to go there and fear it we have got a good away record.

‘‘But to get a good lead at home is imperative in the tie.’’

Leeds United defender Gary Kelly has been recalled to the Ireland squad having missed out on the final Group Two World Cup qualifier against Cyprus after being red-carded in the previous month’s victory over Holland in Dublin.

McCarthy has named Manchester United skipper Roy Keane in his squad, although there are still doubts about his availability because of a knee injury. Definitely out is Blackburn’s Damien Duff, who has a hamstring problem.

Mark Kennedy (Wolves) and Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland) have injury worries too.

The Republic are likely to base themselves in Dubai prior to the second leg, flying into Iran 24 hours beforehand.