Trap team talk rallies troops

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni reminded his players they were a good team before sending them out to beat World Cup finalists Paraguay.

Ireland may have missed out on a trip to South Africa after their heart-breaking play-off defeat by France, but they proved they could have cut it on the big stage with a 2-1 victory over the South Americans at the RDS.

Trapattoni spent the days before the game telling his players they had to forget their disappointment and move on, and he was delighted to see them do just that.

He said: “Before the game, I said to the team, ’Remember we are a good team’, I reminded them of how we played against Italy and France and Brazil and told them we could also have been in South Africa.

“But that is not enough. We have to continue that way and I am happy because the team listened to me and went on to the pitch with that mentality.”

The Republic took the lead within seven minutes of kick-off, thanks in large part to Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz’s misfortune inside his own penalty area.

Santa Cruz could only head Damien Duff’s cross against his own bar after Paul McShane has failed to make contact with an acrobatic overhead kick, and Kevin Doyle converted the rebound.

Paraguay rallied and dominated possession without ever really threatening to hurt their hosts, and Liam Lawrence punished them further six minutes before the break when he fired home from Doyle’s lay-off with the help of a touch off defender Denis Caniza.

Lucas Barrios pulled one back for Paraguay 13 minutes into the second half, but they were unable to restore parity as both managers made changes with Trapattoni handing first senior caps to Cillian Sheridan, Paul Green and Keith Fahey.

Trapattoni was delighted with the contribution of Wolves striker Doyle in particular on a night when his team claimed another good scalp.

He said: “Two years ago, he was a young striker but for me, he is now one of the best strikers in England.

“Striker is a very difficult position. Sometimes they are alone, sometimes it is not possible to score a goal.

“But they are also important for the team because they can hold the ball up and let the team come forward. Kevin does that very, very well.

“He and Robbie [Keane] work very well together. They complement each other very well.”

Paraguay boss Gerardo Martino left Dublin with mixed emotions.

He said: “It was a good match, particularly in the second half. We kept the ball moving and in the second half, we were better and had a chance to draw the game.

“But Ireland were always dangerous and we made mistakes – very few – but that was what cost us the match.”