The Republic of Ireland will create the biggest shock in the UEFA Euro 2012 playoffs if they fail to seal their place in next year’s tournament.
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 aren’t eying qualification to Euro 2012 anymore. On Tuesday night, they’ll just try to give a good account of themselves as midfielder Martin Vunk declared:
“There is nothing to lose in the second match, so we will just go and play.”
With this 4-0 result, the Irish successfully removed any sort of pressure ahead of the final leg. The game on Tuesday night may not provide a lot of excitement but for fans of the Republic of Ireland, this won’t matter as long as the team will be in Poland and Ukraine come 2012.
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 aren’t eying qualification to Euro 2012 anymore. On Tuesday night, they’ll just try to give a good account of themselves as midfielder Martin Vunk declared:
“There is nothing to lose in the second match, so we will just go and play.”
With this 4-0 result, the Irish successfully removed any sort of pressure ahead of the final leg. The game on Tuesday night may not provide a lot of excitement but for fans of the Republic of Ireland, this won’t matter as long as the team will be in Poland and Ukraine come 2012.
