Kerr offers no respite

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr is demanding his side pile on the misery for the hapless Faroe Islands following their nightmare journey to Dublin.

Coach Henrik Larsen’s squad arrived in Ireland 20 hours behind schedule yesterday after a fault was discovered with the aircraft due to fly them to the Irish capital from Larnaca following Saturday’s 2-2 draw in Cyprus.

The squad left their team hotel at 3am on Sunday morning, but when they arrived at the airport they were later advised of the problem, resulting in a long delay.

The Faroes finally touched down at 5.30am yesterday, with Larsen now fearing the worst as his squad had a mere eight hours sleep over two nights, which he knows is hardly ideal preparation for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road.

It is why Kerr is urging his players to start with the kind of upbeat tempo which has seen them unsettle fellow Group Four rivals Cyprus, Switzerland and France in all of the opening matches to the campaign to date.

“It was important we got into the rhythm of the match as we did against Cyprus,” said Kerr.

“We had hoped it would be that way in Switzerland too, and we did initially, but they then matched our tempo and made a few chances not long after we scored.

“In France, we again wanted to set the tone for the game, to show them we weren’t going to be pushed around.

“That comes from the players and their understanding of what it takes to unnerve the opposition in an away match, to start having a go from the off.

“I know it suits some teams to play defensively, to soak it up and play on the break, but we’re more comfortable in possession and moving the ball.

“So I would hope for a high-tempo tomorrow. It’s what the players want. They understand that because if we play at an easy pace the Faroes will be comfortable. We need to play at a tempo they’re not used to.”

Larsen’s squad have missed just one training session, yesterday when they instead caught up on their sleep, so Kerr feels they will not be too weary.

“What happened to them can annoy and frustrate you,” added Kerr.

“These things do happen, bearing in mind everything to do with airports these days has become much more complicated since the events in New York [September 11]. It’s much more time-consuming.

“So you do the best you possibly can, although I’m sure the Faroes are used to difficult trips anyway because they are very isolated with where they are.

“Most of their players play in the Faroes, Denmark, Iceland area and I’m sure it’s difficult to get around Europe.

“They also come into the group knowing the complications of getting to different places. It is up to them to prepare the best they can within the resources of a very small association.

“But they’re in a comfortable hotel in Dublin, and I’m sure they will have recovered in time for tomorrow’s game.

“We can’t worry about their problems. We’ve just got to do our stuff and get on with it.”