Keane left out

Skipper Robbie Keane was missing as the Republic of Ireland attempted to upset the odds by denying Germany World Cup qualification in Cologne.

Keane sat out with an ankle problem as interim manager Noel King made seven changes to the side which lost in Austria last month with Damien Delaney, Stephen Kelly, Ciaran Clark, Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, Kevin Doyle and Anthony Stokes coming in for Keane, suspended duo John O’Shea and Richard Dunne and Paul Green, Jon Walters, Anthony Pilkington and Shane Long.