Post by Taxigirl on Oct 13, 2005 8:33:59 GMT
soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=178910&cc=5739
The Republic of Ireland's World Cup dream is over, and now just one question remains, that surrounding the fate of manager Brian Kerr.
A match Ireland had to win to clinch a play-off place ended in yet another stalemate, and while the inquest into what has gone before will be long, it is the future that will attract the greatest debate.
After 32 months at the helm, the Football Association of Ireland now face a critical decision in whether to hand Kerr an extension to his contract, or say goodbye to a man who has served his country well at many levels over the years.
Kerr and Ireland will no doubt look back on the leads they conceded against the Swiss in Basle, but more pertinently the late one in Israel, and the two-goal cushion at home to the Israelis, with all three games ending in draws.
A moment of magic from Thierry Henry last month handed Ireland their only defeat in Group Four, that too proving crucial as it was the only decisive result between the top four teams.
And what of the international careers of Roy Keane, Kenny Cunningham, Matt Holland and possibly even Kevin Kilbane? Surely now, this is the end of the road.
Other than a goal, Kerr could not have asked much more of his players, whose effort and endeavour can never be called into question.
Kerr gambled before kick-off with his team selection, opting for an untried central midfield pairing of Holland and John O'Shea, the latter starting in the role for the first time for his country after previously being employed at left-back.
Holland was retained after impressing in Saturday's unimpressive 1-0 win in Cyprus, providing a steadying influence after coming on as a half-time substitute.
Andy Reid, after serving a one-match suspension in Cyprus, was recalled to the right wing, with Kilbane on the left in the absence of the injured Damien Duff.
With O'Shea pushed up, Ian Harte came in at left-back, with the last of Kerr's quartet of changes from the Cypriot clash being Clinton Morrison starting ahead of Stephen Elliott in attack after also completing his own one-match ban.
It was bold, but then without Duff and the inspirational Keane, out with a broken bone in his left foot, Kerr had to go for broke.
His reward should have arrived as early as the second minute from a corner won after Robbie Keane had fallen inside the area under a challenge from Ludovic Magnin.
German official Markus Merk was unimpressed, as he was for almost the entire game with Ireland's appeals for fouls against them, but from Reid's inswinger an unmarked Harte headed wide from seven yards.
But this had the hallmark of one of those nights - Harte's header setting the tone - and when Merk failed to award at least a free kick for Arsenal centre-back Phillippe Senderos' clear block on Morrison on the edge of the area, doubts were being raised.
Merk then issued two bookings in a minute, initially to Richard Dunne for a foul on Johan Volanthen, and then to Reid for dissent and a show of anger at another decision to go against the Republic.
But then came an almighty let off for Kerr and the Republic who were opened up for the first time in the 31st minute as Switzerland attacked down the right through Tranquillo Barnetta and Philipp Degen.
With Harte backing off, Degen delivered a cross to the far post where Alexander Frei had timed a run to perfection, but with the entire goal at his mercy, he shaved the post with a free header from six yards out.
Ireland continued to desperately push forward after the interval, but the luck was not with them, and in doing so they were leaving gaps at the back.
That prompted Kerr to make another brave decision in the 67th minute, bringing off the Republic's all-time leading scorer in Keane for young Sunderland forward Elliott, who had scored the winner in Cyprus.
The closing stages was death-or-glory stuff, with Frei missing a Magnin cross through the six-yard box, and then Shay Given pulling off a brilliant save from the striker.
Kerr brought on Elliott and Doherty in a desperate attempt to keep the dream alive, but other than a Steven Reid curler being tipped over by Pascal Zuberbuhler - his one and only save of the game - it was never going to happen for Ireland.
The Republic of Ireland's World Cup dream is over, and now just one question remains, that surrounding the fate of manager Brian Kerr.
A match Ireland had to win to clinch a play-off place ended in yet another stalemate, and while the inquest into what has gone before will be long, it is the future that will attract the greatest debate.
After 32 months at the helm, the Football Association of Ireland now face a critical decision in whether to hand Kerr an extension to his contract, or say goodbye to a man who has served his country well at many levels over the years.
Kerr and Ireland will no doubt look back on the leads they conceded against the Swiss in Basle, but more pertinently the late one in Israel, and the two-goal cushion at home to the Israelis, with all three games ending in draws.
A moment of magic from Thierry Henry last month handed Ireland their only defeat in Group Four, that too proving crucial as it was the only decisive result between the top four teams.
And what of the international careers of Roy Keane, Kenny Cunningham, Matt Holland and possibly even Kevin Kilbane? Surely now, this is the end of the road.
Other than a goal, Kerr could not have asked much more of his players, whose effort and endeavour can never be called into question.
Kerr gambled before kick-off with his team selection, opting for an untried central midfield pairing of Holland and John O'Shea, the latter starting in the role for the first time for his country after previously being employed at left-back.
Holland was retained after impressing in Saturday's unimpressive 1-0 win in Cyprus, providing a steadying influence after coming on as a half-time substitute.
Andy Reid, after serving a one-match suspension in Cyprus, was recalled to the right wing, with Kilbane on the left in the absence of the injured Damien Duff.
With O'Shea pushed up, Ian Harte came in at left-back, with the last of Kerr's quartet of changes from the Cypriot clash being Clinton Morrison starting ahead of Stephen Elliott in attack after also completing his own one-match ban.
It was bold, but then without Duff and the inspirational Keane, out with a broken bone in his left foot, Kerr had to go for broke.
His reward should have arrived as early as the second minute from a corner won after Robbie Keane had fallen inside the area under a challenge from Ludovic Magnin.
German official Markus Merk was unimpressed, as he was for almost the entire game with Ireland's appeals for fouls against them, but from Reid's inswinger an unmarked Harte headed wide from seven yards.
But this had the hallmark of one of those nights - Harte's header setting the tone - and when Merk failed to award at least a free kick for Arsenal centre-back Phillippe Senderos' clear block on Morrison on the edge of the area, doubts were being raised.
Merk then issued two bookings in a minute, initially to Richard Dunne for a foul on Johan Volanthen, and then to Reid for dissent and a show of anger at another decision to go against the Republic.
But then came an almighty let off for Kerr and the Republic who were opened up for the first time in the 31st minute as Switzerland attacked down the right through Tranquillo Barnetta and Philipp Degen.
With Harte backing off, Degen delivered a cross to the far post where Alexander Frei had timed a run to perfection, but with the entire goal at his mercy, he shaved the post with a free header from six yards out.
Ireland continued to desperately push forward after the interval, but the luck was not with them, and in doing so they were leaving gaps at the back.
That prompted Kerr to make another brave decision in the 67th minute, bringing off the Republic's all-time leading scorer in Keane for young Sunderland forward Elliott, who had scored the winner in Cyprus.
The closing stages was death-or-glory stuff, with Frei missing a Magnin cross through the six-yard box, and then Shay Given pulling off a brilliant save from the striker.
Kerr brought on Elliott and Doherty in a desperate attempt to keep the dream alive, but other than a Steven Reid curler being tipped over by Pascal Zuberbuhler - his one and only save of the game - it was never going to happen for Ireland.
