Post by Taxigirl on Oct 10, 2005 8:48:42 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4324758.stm
Kick-off: 1945 BST, Wednesday, 12 October
Venue: Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Republic of Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham believes a major improvement is needed to beat Switzerland in the crucial World Cup qualifier in Dublin.
The Republic were poor in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Cyprus and they must win the final group game to ensure at least a place in the play-offs.
"We have to defend better. We have to pass the ball better," said Cunningham.
"We're going to have to put in one of our best performances in terms of how we pass the football."
It was only the heroics of Shay Given, after Stephen Elliott had scored his first goal for his country in the sixth minute, that prevented Cyprus from causing a major upset in Nicosia.
The Newcastle goalkeeper produced a full-stretch, fingertip save to deny Ioannis Okkas from the penalty spot before pulling off a series of superb saves.
"We can dwell on all the negatives of the performance, but psychologically to have won that game playing well below our best is a real positive. We've got to build on that," added the Birmingham defender.
"We're not just going to sweep this under the carpet. We'll analyse it over the next couple of days.
"But we have to play better on Wednesday against a Swiss side who will be superior to Cyprus.
"We really will have to improve. It's no point just dismissing this and saying, 'ah well, let's hope for better'. We really have to make it happen.
"We'll give it our best as we always do, but sometimes best in terms of commitment, energy and determination is not enough because it has to be best in terms of the quality of the football that we produce as well."
Kick-off: 1945 BST, Wednesday, 12 October
Venue: Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Republic of Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham believes a major improvement is needed to beat Switzerland in the crucial World Cup qualifier in Dublin.
The Republic were poor in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Cyprus and they must win the final group game to ensure at least a place in the play-offs.
"We have to defend better. We have to pass the ball better," said Cunningham.
"We're going to have to put in one of our best performances in terms of how we pass the football."
It was only the heroics of Shay Given, after Stephen Elliott had scored his first goal for his country in the sixth minute, that prevented Cyprus from causing a major upset in Nicosia.
The Newcastle goalkeeper produced a full-stretch, fingertip save to deny Ioannis Okkas from the penalty spot before pulling off a series of superb saves.
"We can dwell on all the negatives of the performance, but psychologically to have won that game playing well below our best is a real positive. We've got to build on that," added the Birmingham defender.
"We're not just going to sweep this under the carpet. We'll analyse it over the next couple of days.
"But we have to play better on Wednesday against a Swiss side who will be superior to Cyprus.
"We really will have to improve. It's no point just dismissing this and saying, 'ah well, let's hope for better'. We really have to make it happen.
"We'll give it our best as we always do, but sometimes best in terms of commitment, energy and determination is not enough because it has to be best in terms of the quality of the football that we produce as well."