Hopes high as Ireland bid for World Cup glory

Tension is high as Ireland prepares to take on Spain in its bid for World Cup glory.

Fans who queued overnight for tickets are hopeful the team can push through to the quarter finals where they will face either South Korea or Italy.

In Suwon, Ireland's fans are outnumbering Spanish supporters - though many Koreans appear to be lending their support to the rival team.

An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Irish fans have also descended on Japan to celebrate the team's progress through the qualifying stage of tournament.

Back home, the whole of the Republic is set to grind to a near standstill as manager Mick McCarthy's team face up to their latest challenge.

Pubs and other venues showing the match on big TV screens are expecting crowds of supporters.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to watch the match in their own homes, leaving the streets almost deserted during the match.