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Republic of Ireland vs Estonia Preview
In Estonia, they brushed aside the hosts with 4 goals and a clean sheet. A brace from skipper Robbie Keane and goals from Andrews and Walters inspired the Irish to their emphatic triumph. Back home, Trapattoni’s men might have it easier as the Estonians have thrown the towel.Captain Piiroja told UEFA.com in a dejected mood: “It's very hard to explain our feelings at the moment as we had high expectations. We were unlucky and they were better than us – that's it.
“It's very hard to play against a good team with only nine players. We would like to win in Dublin or to get a decent result, but it is over now for us anyway. The fairytale is over.”
Estonia vs Republic of Ireland Preview
Irish fans around the world suffered a heartbreak the last time their national football team featured in a two-legged playoff tie. This happened back in November 2009 when Thierry Henry’s infamous hand ball for France forced the Republic of Ireland to accept disqualification from the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Estonia do not seem as dangerous as France but coach Trapattoni doesn’t want to be fooled by Estonia’s underdog status.
“There is no room for complacency as we prepare for our two games next month,” the Italian told UEFA.com.
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers play-off draw: Portugal, Turkey in tough ties
Pot 1 had the likes of Croatia (coefficient 32.723), Portugal (31.202), the Republic of Ireland (28.203) and the Czech Republic (27.982) as seeded teams. Pot 2 had Turkey (27.601), Bosnia and Herzegovina (27.199), Montenegro (21.876) and Estonia (20.355) the unseeded teams. On Thursday afternoon, the draw which took place in Krakow produced exciting matchups.Turkey vs Croatia will represent a repeat of the dramatic Euro 2008 quarter-final where the Turks produced a stunning comeback to beat their opponents through a penalty shoot-out. The Croatians will be out to redeem themselves this time.
Estonia Vs Serbia: Nemanja Vidic Set To Make Comeback
Serbia manager Vladimir Petrovic has revealed that Nemanja Vidic is ready to start his first game since injuring his calf two weeks ago when they take on Serbia tonight. Vidic injured himself while playing for Manchester United and has unexpectedly made a quick return from that injury to be deemed fit to play against Estonia.Petrovic is quoted by The Telegraph as saying: "Vidic is with us again and he is ready to play from the beginning. My only concern is about the condition of the pitch because it is a winter landscape."
Estonia vs Italy Preview
Italy will look to make amends for an abysmal performance at this summer's World Cup when they take on Estonia in Group C of the Euro2012 Qualifying campaign. The Azzurri exited the World Cup in ignominy after they failed to manage a single win in a relatively modest group that contained Slovakia, New Zealand, and Paraguay. It was a humiliating outing for the then defending champions due in no small part to coach Marcello Lippi's reliance on the ageing legs of the 2006 winners. Captain Fabio Cannavaro looked a yard off pace, while players like Gianluca Zambrotta proved simply mediocre.
Cesare Prandelli's arrival at the helm has brought with it some respite as he has vowed to mould the team not according to the reputation of the Berlin heroes, but youth and competence. For perhaps political reasons, Lippi opted to leave the likes of Antonio Cassano home during the World Cup, arguing implicitly, and not entirely unconvincingly, that players like him disrupt squad harmony notwithstanding their undeniable talent. Prandelli, however, has no such reservations and has selected Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano (pictured) in a recent friendly against the Ivory Coast.
Euro 2012 Qualifier – Estonia vs Italy: Coach Cesare Prandelli Asks His Men To Be Positive
The former Fiorentina manager will be leading Italy in a competitive encounter for the first time since replacing the disgraced Marcello Lippi. All eyes are on the coach to start business on a good note as the Azzurri are desperate to find back the respect they used to enjoy.
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the Italians didn’t manage a single victory and their performance was well below their fans’ expectations. Cesare Prandelli has been given the task to put things right and this is what he had to say to the media during a press conference:
Spain v Estonia European World Cup qualification Match Preview
The Spanish, who have all but qualified to the finals of the World Cup, are poised to maintain their 100% record throughout the European World Cup qualifiers.
Whereas La Roja could claim their tickets to South Africa 2010 without kicking a ball on Wednesday, victory at the Bernabeu would make their qualification sweeter.
The home side has everything needed to beat Estonia:
the support from the crowd, the experience and skill of the squad’s players, the intelligent tactics of coach Vicente Del Bosque are three things that Spain do not lack.
Turkey vs Estonia Live Match Preview
Turkey...