Daly focused despite yellow card threat

Rep of Ireland v Germany Moss, Norway, 5.0: Jonathan Daly won't lose focus against Germany in Moss tonight, despite his mind's eye drifting to thoughts of Ireland's third game with England in Hønefoss on Friday.

Ireland's two-goal match-winner against Belgium in Monday's opening game picked up a yellow card - along with substitute Stephen Kelly - and if booked again tonight will miss the eagerly awaited clash with the English.

"I'm conscious of my situation and it will be difficult, but I will still put myself about," said the 6ft 2in Dubliner. "I will play my normal game against Germany and do my best for the team as I always try to do.

"It's the game we all want to play in, but for the moment we must concentrate on playing Germany first. We must do the business tonight and then look forward to the England game."

The Stockport County striker was the main ingredient absent when this squad under-achieved at the UEFA Under-16 finals in Israel in 2000.

"I was hugely disappointed going to Israel knowing we didn't have Jonathan in the squad," said manager Brian Kerr. "He's the focal point of this team in the attacking sense.

"In fact, none of the four strikers we have in this squad here were in Israel and we were certainly short up front in that tournament. We have better options now, and with Jonathan leading the line we will get more from our strike force."

Daly was quick to make up for his lost opportunity of two years ago and was delighted to score twice against the Belgians in Drammen on his debut at a finals tournament.

"I broke my leg against Yugoslavia shortly before we were due to go to Israel and I was naturally gutted to lose out," said Daly. "I am delighted to be here fit and well and to get off to the start we did against Belgium was fantastic."

A place at next spring's FIFA World Youth Cup in the United Arab Emirates is the prize for a second win tonight, though a draw should be enough to secure that. If Ireland can beat the Germans, an added bonus would be England and Belgium drawing in Kongsvinger which would put Ireland straight into Sunday's final with a game to spare.

"A win and a draw from the two remaining games will guarantee us the final," said Kerr cautiously. "It will be hard to do it. Belgium are capable of winning one of their remaining games which would help us."

Germany manager Uli Stielike, a league championship winner a remarkable nine times as a player with Borussia Mönchengladbach, Real Madrid and Xamax Neuchatel, is fully aware of the threat Ireland will pose to his team. "The Irish A team played great soccer at the World Cup," said Stielike, a European Championship winner with West Germany in 1980. "I have a high opinion of Irish football. They are good players individually and very good team players."

Irish Goalkeeper Brian Murphy is a slight doubt for the game having aggravated a shoulder injury against Belgium, though chief medical officer Ronan O'Callaghan believes he should be fit to play. Kerr is likely to freshen up the team with one or two changes.