Keane relishing World Cup challenge

Robbie Keane is convinced the Republic of Ireland can beat Italy and book their own trip to South Africa 2010 via World Cup qualifying Group Eight at the reigning champions' expense.

The 28-year-old, who will lead his country against Georgia at Croke Park tomorrow night, knows three points will take them level with Marcello Lippi's side at the top of the table.

That could set up a major showdown between the two nations in Bari on April 1, four days after Ireland host Bulgaria and the Italians make the tricky trip to Montenegro - and if Ireland were to finish top of the group, the champions would need to come through a play-off to progress.

Keane, of course, has already experienced a World Cup finals tournament - having announced himself on the biggest stage of all in the Far East in 2002.

But he believes the Republic have never had a better chance of qualifying straight from a group - after taking seven of the first nine points on offer.

He said: "This is our best chance now since I have been involved in the Irish team.

"Obviously, we qualified for the World Cup in 2002 through a play-off. But this is our best chance to qualify straight.

"I believe, with the players and the squad we have, there's no reason why we can't do that.

"Of course, it's not going to be easy. But we have set ourselves good targets; we have played well in recent games - and we need to continue that now.

"We have to set our sights high - there is no point in being here otherwise.

"Don't get me wrong - Italy are a great team with a great manager and great players. But I don't see any reason why we can't do it, and it is up to us players to do that and prove that.

"It is not going to be easy, but I believe this is the best chance we have had for a long time."

Georgia have made a disappointing start to their qualification campaign and sit second-bottom of Group Eight after two draws and two defeats in four games.

There are mitigating circumstances to be considered, however, in the wake of the turmoil that followed Georgia's military conflict with Russia last summer.

Georgia's first World Cup qualifier, at home to the Republic last September, was played in Mainz in Germany rather than in the Georgian capital Tbilisi.

Ireland ran out 2-1 winners in that game, but Georgia coach Hector Cuper refused to dwell on the circumstances surrounding that loss ahead of tomorrow's return fixture.

"That's history already," Cuper said. "We lost in Mainz, and I'm not sure we'd necessarily have won in Tbilisi."