Trapattoni defiant despite defeat

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni launched an impassioned defence of his reign after seeing his side’s hopes of World Cup qualification all but blown out of the water.

A 2-1 home defeat by Sweden, who along with Austria were level on points with the Republic in joint-second place in Group C before kick-off, left Erik Hamren’s men in pole position to claim the runners-up spot with three games remaining.