Kerr: Minnows should have right to choose

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr believes it would be unfair to ask the minnows of world football to compete in a pre-qualifying competition before finally taking on the big boys in the major group stages.

Ireland face the Faroe Islands in a World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road tomorrow, and many are expecting the Group Four clash to be a one-sided affair.

But as the smaller nations proved on Saturday, they should not be taken lightly or for granted, with Slovenia beating Italy, Liechtenstein holding Portugal to a 2-2 draw, as did Macedonia with Holland.

Even the Faroes came within seven minutes of beating Cyprus in their own backyard, and while the Cypriots are hardly a major European power, it would nevertheless have been a significant result.

We might all get bored of hearing managers and players saying ’there are no easy international games these days’, but it would appear to be true.

Let us not forget Ireland have had their own problems in the past, drawing 0-0 against Liechtenstein in a European Championship qualifier in 1995.

Just three-and-a-half years ago they even allowed little Andorra to take the lead in a World Cup qualifying match at Lansdowne Road before ultimately winning 3-1.

It would be a shame to rob such countries of their moment in the spotlight, and Kerr feels it should be those nations who decide their own future.

“If it [pre-qualifying] came as a strong voice from the countries themselves then it should be considered,” said Kerr.

“The idea of pre-qualifying for the smaller nations has previously been discussed at UEFA conferences I have attended, particularly for under-age tournaments.

“But if they are to play with the bigger countries and take their chances in these groups, then it should be their decision and their voice.

“How do you make the call anyway as to who plays because some of the newer nations with small populations like Estonia, Slovenia and Slovakia have made an impact in recent years.

“I know the likes of the Faroes, Malta and Liechtenstein are different and they have much smaller populations, but these games give them a national identity.

“And if you asked anybody at the Liechtenstein FA as to whether they would prefer to be in pre-qualifying or straight in with a group including Portugal, then I’m sure the answer would be to be in a group with Portugal to see if they could improve.”

Kerr is certainly wary of the Faroes, who started their campaign with a 6-0 thrashing in Switzerland but who were then unfortunate to lose 2-0 at home to France before the draw with Cyprus.

“I’m surprised they lost the way they did in the first game to Switzerland, but there were a few problems for them that day,” added Kerr.

“I spoke to [manager] Henrik Larsen recently in Stockholm and he told me it was very hot that day in Switzerland and it was a big issue.

“We can hardly turn up the heat in ecological terms, but I hope we make up for it in every other way.

“They were then unlucky against France. They gave them a right game. I watched a video of it the other night and they had plenty of chances, while both French goals should have been ruled offside.

“Then in Cyprus they drew 2-2 with a late goal from Cyprus to equalise. It was another good performance and a decent result, so we have to respect them.”

Kerr is definitely without striker Clinton Morrison after a scan yesterday revealed cartilage damage to his left knee sustained late in the first half of the goalless draw against France in Paris on Saturday.

Suggestions, meanwhile, Roy Keane would miss the game with a knee injury have been allayed after the Manchester United midfielder trained for the majority of yesterday’s session.

Full-backs Stephen Carr and John O’Shea have ankle and groin knocks, but both should be fit to take on the Faroes.